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H   E 


Biiptift  confejfion  of  faith: 


rth  in    164.5  >  aftttwards  enlarged, 

publi&cd  by   an  aflcmbly  of  tielcgates 

-1  Great  Eritain)   met  Vn  Lon- 

July  ;,  I6S9  5    adapted  by   the  aflbciation 

12,   1743  y  and  novf 

churches  of  the  fame  denominate 

.'can  colonics. 


I,    A    fliort   treatift    of 

"ne 


:c!phia>  printed   by  Ar.t.  Armhrttflcr  in  Rac*- 
f;nct>  1765. 


C     3     ) 

THE 

Baptift  confeffiofi   of  faith.  ] 

CHAP.     I. 
Of  th$    HOLY     SCRIPTURES. 

THE  Holy  Scripture  is  the  only  fufficienr,  cer- 
tain, and  infallible,  (a)  rule  of  all  faving 
knowledge,  faith,  and  obedience  s  alrho  the 
(J?\  light  of  nature,  and  the  woiks  of  creatioa  and 
providence  do  fo  far  manifeft  the  goodneis,  wif- 
dom  and  power  of  God,  as  to  leave  men  unexcufable; 
yet  are  they  net  (wfruientto  give  that  knew-e^ge  of 
God  and  his  will,  which  is  need?  :on. 
(r)  Therefore  it  ple-fcd  the  lord  at  fuhefry  timet, 
and  in  divers  manners,  to  rcj^eal  hirr.felf,  *nd  to 
declare  that  his  wilUim*  his  v»r.] 
for  the  better  pr<  f  :h« 
truth,  and  for  the  mere  lure  eftablilhment,  a 
• 

a    2  Tim.  3.   19   16,   17.   2 fa.  8.  20.    tuft  16.  20, 
2     20.      b     Rem.  1.  19   20,  21?  &c,  ch.  Z9 
14?   I<.    Pfklm   19.  I    2,  3.    c       LYy.  1.  J. 


I  4  C/  tls  Holy   Scripture. 

fort  of  the  church  againft  the  corruption  of  the  flefa, 
and  the  malice  of  Satan,  and  of  the  world,  rocom- 
tnit  the  fame  wholly  unto  (d)  writing;  winch 
maketh  the  holy  Scriptures  to  be  moft  ncceflary, 
thofe  former  ways  of  God's  revealfng  his  will  unto 
his  people  being  now  ceifed, 

i.  Under  the  name  of  holy  Scripture,  or  the 
word  of  God  written,  are  now  contained  all  the 
books  of  the  old  and  new  Teftamcnt,  which  are 
thefe  : 

Of  the    OLD  TESTAMENT. 

Genefn,  Zxetjus,  Leviticus,  Numbersy  Deuteronomy, 
Jefouab,  Judges  Ruth,  i  Samuel  2  Samuel,  I  Kings, 
2  Kings,  1  ChrlnicUs>  2  Chronicles,  Ezra,  Kehemiahy 
Eft.oer,  Job,  Vjalms,  Pro-vtrbi9  Bcckjiofies>  1  he  Song 
of  Songs.  Ijn'tah,  Jeremiah,  Lamentations,  Eze  iel% 
Daniel,  Hofea,  J»tl,  Amos,  Obadiah,  Jonah,  Aiicak* 
Nahumy  Hakikkuta  Zefbaniah,  Haggai,  Zacbariah* 
Malachi, 

O/WN/Ef    TESTAMENT. 

Matthew,  Mark*  Luke,  John,  The  Acts  of  the 
Apojiles,  PahTj  ZfiJILe  to  the  Rcm*ns,  Corinthians* 
2.  Corinthians,  Galatians^Tfibefiam,  Ehiltptia??s,  Cif- 
lojpans,    1    Thejfilonians,    1  Theffalonians}    1  Th 

2  Timothy 

d     ?rcv.  22.29,  :  5.  4.  %  ft**  I* 

19)  50. 


:?t)  Scriptures.  ^ 

thg 

M  .  e  of  James,   the  firff     and  feconi 

tnel  amd  third  cpt files  ef 

]oh..  lie  tfjttihi  m.      All  whick 

arc  the  (#J   iiifpirarion  of  God,   to  be  the 

:ul?  of  faith  and  life. 

%„  The  books  commonly  called  Jtpoerypha,  nnt 

kg  of  if)  divine  infpiration,  arc  no  parr  of  the 

n  (or  rule)  of  rhc  Scripture^  and    therefore  arc 

o    the  church    of  God,    nor  to  be 

any  otherwife  approved]  or  nude  ufc  of  than  other 

human  v%; 

4.  Tht  authority  of  the  Holy  Scripture,  for  which 
it  ought  to  be  believed,  dependcrh  nor  upon  the 
teftimonv  of  any  man,  or  chinch,  but  wholv  upon 
(g)  is  troth  ir  felf)  the  author  there- 

of*   •  it  is  the  word  of  God. 

c,.   \Y'e  may  be  moved  and  induced  by  the  teftl* 
monyef  the  church  of  God    to  an  high  and  reverent 
eitccm  of  the  Holy  Scripture  ;   ar.d  the  heavcnlistfs 
atrcr,   the  efficacy  of  the   doctrine,   and  the 
c  ft  le,    the  confenr  of  a/1   the    parts, 
the  fcopc  of  tie  whole,  (which   is  to  give  allg1 
to  God  )  the  full  difcovery  ir  makes  of  the  only  way 
of  man's   GrJvation,  and    man                 irrc   mparaWo 
:cs>  and  intirc   peifcc'tions  thereof,    are  ar- 
gents whereby  it  do;h  abundantly  evidence  it  feff 
to 

e    2  Tim.  $.  *6,     f    7.// V  24.  27.  44.   Rom.  }.  3* 
£     2  Pet.     1.   19,20.  w.    2  Ur»,  J.  l6>  Z2.   Ti 
2.   13.    1  y$hn  5,  9, 


6  Of  the  Holy  Script  i 

to  be  the  word  of  God  >  vet  fiocwithftanding;  our  (h) 
full  perfusion,  and  afluradrc  of  rhc  infallible  tra 
a*d  divine  authority  thereof)  is  from  the  inward  i*ork 
of  the  holy  Spirit,  bearing  wirnefs  by  and  * 
word  in  ©ur  hearts. 

6.  The  whole  counfel  of  God  concerning  all 
things  ($)  necefiary  for  his  own  gion,  nun's  tal- 
vation,  faith  and  life,  is  cither  expreflv  fee  down, 
or  neceflarilv  contained  in  the  Holy  Scripture;  un- 
to which  nothing  atanytimeis  tobeaddech  whether  j 
by  new  revelation  of  the  Spirit,  or  traditions  of 
men, 

NcYc&hclefs    we    acknowledge   the   (>f)  in 
rninarion  of  the  Spirit  of  God,  to  be  necefl 
for    the  fav>ng   undtrlianding  of  fuch  rhings  a> 
levelled    in  the  word)  and  that  there  are  foine  cir- 
fiances   concerning  the    worfhip    of  God,  and 
government  of  the    chinch,     common    to    human 
actions  and  lonelier     which  are  to  be(/)  ordered 
i         t  [j  -    ;  of  nature,  and  chrtftian  prudence,  2K> 
cording  to   the  general  rules  of 'the  word,  which  . 
fl*way$  to  be  observed. 

7,  Ali  thing*  in  Scripture  arc  noralike  (  m)  plain 
itmfelveSj   nor  alike  clear  unto  all,    yet  th 

gs  vlach  are  ncccflary  to  be  known,    believed, 

and 

h   J*ln  l6.  I  3 ;  14.   I  Cor.  2.  10,  1 1,  it.     1 
I*  2>  20.  27.    i     %fim.  j.,  15,  16,  17.    1*9.  GmL  I. 

%    9.     k       John    6.    45.      I    Cor.    2.    9,     10,   1 1, 
12.       1     I  Cor.  11.    ij,   14.   &    C  40, 

IB     I    ?«/,    3.   l6? 


Of  the  Holy  Strip  tares.  7 

cleailv  pro- 
cc  ofScsipture 
e  learned,  but  the  01 
means,  may  attain  to  a  ( 
ficicfli  ondi  hem. 

g.   The  ol  :l*«  in(o)  liibrew,  ( 

native  language  of  the   ,  cf  old) 

and  the  r.  .,  hich  (ar  the  tin  c 

of  m  r.nuwn  to  the 

nations,   being   immediately  b»   Ccd,  and 

by  .  providence  kc]  .  all 

as  in    all 
of    religion,  the    church  is  finally   to 
nro  them  (7  >.     But  becanfe  l 
n  to  all  ti  a 
u  hate  a  right  utito,  riptures, 

arr  cnmr..anotri  in  tl.e  l  <J   co  read 

h   them,  \  they  are  1  ,.t<^ 

•  ci\  nation,  unto  which 

C r ) 

fitifull)  in   all,   1  in  an  ac-# 

v  c  and  con. 
he  Scriptures  may  hope.  , 
9.  The  r                                                    r Scripture 
n )Script'jrc  icfelf:  and  therefore  when  tli 
is  a                 about  the  any 
A   4-                     & 

n  Pjalm  19.  7,  ^119.  i]0.  o  Rcso%  }.  1. 
p  \ja.  8-  20.  q  ^/7;  if.  15.  r  3*A*  j.  59. 
s     1  C^.   14.   6.  9.   u,    12;    14,  28.    I  Cel.  3.  i6# 


8  Of  the  Kolj  Scriptures. 

Scripture,  (which  is  not  manifold  but  erne)  it  muft 
be  iearched  by  other  places,  that  fpeak  more  clearly, 
10.  The  fupream  judge  by  whicfe  all xonttovt riies 
^*C«iigiofl  arc  ro  be  determined,  and  all  cccrces  of 
councils,  opinions  of  antiem  writers,  do6hines\>f 
men,  and  fpirits,  are  to  be  examined,  and  in  wiioft 
femence  we  are  to  reft,  can  be  no  other  but  :he  ho- 
ly Scripture  delivered  by  the  fpirie,  into  which  (xj 
Scripture  fo  delivered,  our  faith  is  finallv  refclvcd. 


CHAP.     II. 

* 

Of  GOD)    and  ef  the  holy  Trinity. 

I.  f  |  "^  H  E  Lord  our  God  is  but  (a,  one  only  living, 
and  rrue  God;  whofe  (b)  (ubliilence  is  in 
and  ofhitnfeif,  (c)  infinite  in  being,  and 
perfection,  whole  effence  cannot  be  comprehended 
by  any  bin  him  ft  If  i  (d)  a  moft  pure  {pirn,  (e)  in- 
vifible,  without  body,  parts,  or  paffions,  who  only 
hatb  immortality.,  dwelling  in  the  right,  which  no 
man  can  approach  unco,  who  is  (/ )  in  murable, 
(3)  immenfe,  (&)  eternal,    incomprehensible,  (/) 

almighty, 

# 
x  Mat,  12.  29.  jx.  Ebb.  2.  20.  J(&j  ig.  2\\ 
a  I  Cor,  g.  46.  Dent.  6.  4*  b  Jer.  10.  10, 
If  a.  48.  12.  c  Excd,  3.  14.  d  John  4.  24.  c 
I  lim  1.  17.  Deur.  4.  i$,  16.  f  AUl,  3,  6.  g 
1  Kin&  g#  27.  Jer>  2$.  2 J.  h  P/*/in  go.  i.  i 
G*tf.  17,1. 


Of  Gtd,  *nd  of  the  H.  Trinity.  9 

way  infinite,  (v)  meft  holy,   moft 
,   iiie>ll   abfolute,  (/)     working  all 
.  to  the  counfcl  ofbis  ov\n  immuta- 
ble  and  meft  righteous  will  (w)    for  Lis  owl 

lj  long  fur: 
abundant  in  goodrefsand  truth,  foigiving  iniquity, 
greflion  and  fin,  (»)  the  rewardcr  of  them  tha: 
diligently  fcek  him,  and  wittial  meft  juft,  (*) 
and  rcrrihlc  in  his  judgments,  (/>)  hating  all  iin, 
and  wi!!  by  no  means  clear  the  (  q  )    f*i*ty. 

2.    God,   having    all    ( r)    life,    (sy    glory  (f) 

ffdnefs,  in  and  of  him  (elf.  is 

in.  and  un:o    hiir.fclf  all-fufficient,  not(«)  (land- 

ing  in  need  of  any   creature    which   he   hath    made, 

living  any  fclory  from  them,  but  only  cmni- 

untOi  and  upon  them, 

he  is  the  alone  fountain  of  all  being,  (.v)  of  whom, 

through  v\hom  and  to  whom  arc  all  things,  and   he 

hath  meft  fovereign  (y)dominicifi  overall  creatures, 

to  do  by  them,  ror  them,   or  upon   them,   wlmtfo- 

ever  bimielf  pTeafeth  ;   in  his   fight   (i)    all   things 

are  open  and  maniicrT,  his  knowledge  is (4)  infinite, 

•    A    c.  infallible 

k    lfa.  £.  j.      I    Vjalm   115.    ;,  //1.  46.  r o.      v.\ 

,16.4.    Rom.    11*36.    n     Ex*d»\4    6,7.  Htb. 

ir.    6.    o      Keh     9.  32.  31.    p     rjzlw   f.   $    6*.     q 

:6.    s  Vial. 
148.     I},      t     V    .  b,     22.  2.    J.  X 

'  '-.   J j, 
'8- 


lo  of  God,  and  of  the  H.    Trinity* 

infallible,  and  independent  upon  the  creature,  fo  as 
nothing  is  to  him  contingent  or  uncertain;  he  is 
moil  holy  in  all  his  counltls,  in  (b)  all  his  works, 
and  in  all  his  commands ;  to  him  is  due  (c)  from 
angels  and  men,  whatfoever  worfliip,  fervice,  or 
obedience,  as  crearures  they  owe  unto  che  creator, 
and  whatever  he  is  further  pleafed  to  require  of  them. 
},  In  this  divine  and  infinite  being  t'sere  are  three 
fubiiftsnces,  (^)  the  father,  the  word,  for  Son) 
and  Hoi)  Spirrr,  of  one  fub  (lance,  power  and  eter- 
nity,  each  having  the  whole  divine  eilence,  (<?)  yet 
the  effence  undivided,  the  father  is  of  n©ne  neither 
begotten,  nor  proceeding,  the  Son  is  (/)  eternal- 
ly begotten,  of  the  Father,  the  Holy  Spirit  (g )  pro- 
ceeding from  the  Father  and  the  Son,  ali  infinite, 
without  beginning,  therefore  but  one  God,  who 
is  not  to  be  divided  in  nature  and  being,  but  dif- 
tinguimed  by  ftvcral  peculiar,  relative  properties, 
and  perfonal  relations  3  which  doctrine  of  the  trinity 
is  the  foundation  of  all  our  communion  with*  God* 
and  comfortable   dependance  on  him.   . 

CHAP. 


b  Pfdm  145,  17,  c  Rev.  e  12.  13.  74.  d 
I,  John  5.  7.  Mat.  28.  19.  2  Cor.  15.  14* 
e  Exod.  3,  14.  John  14.  11.  1  Cor.  %.  6. 
f     Jch/y  i#    14,    ig.     g    John     15,26.    Gal.  4. 6* 


(  II  ) 

CHAP.     III. 

Of  God's    Dccrtt. 

\x  f~^  OD  hath    (a)    decreed    in  himfclr,     from 
\J"  all  eternity,  b?    the   aaoft   wife    anJ    holy 
counfel  of  his  own    will,   freely  and    un- 
changeably, all   things   vvbatfocver    come    to  pals  ; 
ft  as  thereby  is  God    neither  the  author  of  (In, 
(£)  nor   hath  fellowship  with  any   therein,  nor   is 
violence  offered   to    the  will   cf   the    creature,  nor 
yet  is    liberty,    cr    contingency    of  fecond    caufes 
taken  away,  but  rather  (£)  cftablimcd,  in  which  ap- 
pears his  wifdom  in  difpofing  all  things,  and  power, 
and  faithfulnefs  (<tf)  in  accompiifhirg  his  decree. 

2.  Although  Goi  knowcth  whatloevcr  may,  or 
can  come  to  pafs  upon  all  (r J  fuppofed  conditions  5 
jet  hath  he  not  decreed  any  thing,  (/)  becaufe  he 
forefiw  it  as  fttture,  or  as  that  which  would  come 
to  pafs  upon  fuch  conditions. 

j.  By  the  decree  of  God,  for  the  manifeftation 
of  his  glory.  Q)  fomc  men  and  angels  are  prc- 
deftina:ed,  or  fore-ordained  to  eternal  Life,  through 
Jefus  Chnft,   to  the(/;/)p:aifcofhis  glorious  grace  j 

others 

a  I/*.  46.  10.  Epbt  1.  11.  Hcb.  6.  17,  Rom  9. 
IS»  18.  b  Jam.  i.  15.  17,  1.  john  1.  c.  c  Ails 
4.27,  28.  John  10,  u,  d  Numb.  2?.  19.  Bph  1, 
J.  4.  c.  e  Acts  19.  18.  f  Rom  9.  1  ,  1  3,  16.  18. 
£  l  Ttw.  jt  2I»  MM*%  2J.  41,    h    Eph.l.t>6., 


12  Of  God's  dec  res. 

others  being  left  to  act  in  rheir  fin  to  their  (*)  juffc 
condemnation,  to  the  praife  of  his  glorious  jufticc. 

4.  Thefe  angels  and  men  thus  pre -detonated, 
and  fore  ordained,  are  parrkalailv,  and  unchangeab- 
ly defignedj  and  their  (/)  number  fo  certain,  and 
definite,  that  it  cannot  be  either  increafed,  or  di- 
miniilied, 

5.  Thofe  of  mankind,  (I)  that  arc  pre-dcftinaT-* 
cd  to  life,  God  before  the  foundation  of 'the  vnorld 
was  laid,  according  to  his  eternal  and  immutable 
purpoie,  and  the  fecret  counfel  and  good  pltaiurc 
of  his  will,  hachchofen  in  Chrift  unto  cverlafting 
gloiy,  out  of  his  mere  free  grace  and  love;  (w) 
without  any  other  thing  in  the  creature  as  a  c. 
Virion  ot  caufe  moving  him  thereunto. 

6.  As  God  hath  appointed  the  elect  unto  glorv, 
fo  he  hath  by  the  eternal  and  molt  tree  fmrpofc  of 
his  will,  fore-ord.aned  (#)  all  the  mean*  therein 
wherefore  they  who  are  elected,  being  rall'n  in  Ada* 
(/>)  arc  redeemed  by  Chrift,  are  cffcdtually  (q)  cal- 
led unto  faith  in  Chrilfc,  by  his  Spirit  working  in 
due  (eafon,  arc  juftified,  adopted,  iancliikd,  and 
kept  by  his  power  throng!:  faith  [r)  unto  falvation.j 
neither  arc  any  other  redeemed  by  Cbiift,  cr  effec- 
tually 

i  Rom  9.22,  2$.  Jude  ^  k  2  Tim  2.  19.  Joh* 
IJ,r8  1  E/>/>.  I.  4.  9>  U-  Rem.  g.  30  2  lim.  1.  9. 
XTkcf  5.  9.  m  Rom,  9.  13.  16.  Epb  %  6.  12. 
O  I  let  1  2.  1  hef  2  I},  p  1  j^Wf  5  9.  I?, 
q  &w».  8#  30,    2   !&<#  2,  13.    r    aP^  1.  5. 


v    of  prc- 
.  cd  with  fpccial  prudence 
6k  Cod  rc- 
:d,  and    )  mcc  there- 

in  che    ceitair.ty   of    their  eft 
:red    of  tl  J   election; 

io  ihi  of  puifc. 

reverence,    and  adir.iiarion    of   G^d,    and    (\ 


C  H  A  r.     IV 
Of  Ctearitu* 


God  the  l 
i:,  for  the  man  ifc  (la- 
eternal  power,  wildom* 
ue  or  mar;$  the  world,  and  all 
CO  whether  vihVc  cr  inviliblc,   in 
tvs,  and  all   very  good. 
i.  Ali^i  God  had  nude   a!l    other    creatures,  he 
i  (</)  man,  male  and  female,   with  (e)  iea- 

b h fopAlc 

10.   26.    y^;.  17.9.  y^/>;j    6.  ^4,   t  j 
5-    2  Pw'f.   i.  10.    u  Ef>h.  I.  6.    Rom.  u* 
3 J.   x    Row.  |2.  y  6.     >    Late  10.  20.  a    Jchn\. 
KeK  I.  2.Jol>26.  n.bKom.i.zo.   c  O/,  j^ 
J*,    Gf*.  5.  ij  2.  d  Qcn%  j,  27.  c  G**t  2.7, 


14  creation* 

fonablc  and  immortal  fouls,  rendiing  them  fit  unto 
iha:  life  to  God,  for  which  they  were  ere*: 
^f)  made  after  ihc  image  of  God,  in  knowledge, 
r.ghteoulntfs,  and. true  holincfi;  having  the  law 
cr  Goj,  (<g)  written  in  their  hear;*,  and  power  to 
I ;  and  yet  under  a  poilibiljt)  of  tianfgreiTing, 
left  to  the  liberty  of  their  own  wijl, 
was  (&)  fubjed  to  change. 

3.  Eeiides  the  law  written  in  their  hearts,  they 
^revived  (*'.)  a  command  not  to  eat  of  the  rree  of 
knowledge  or'  good  and  evil;  which  whiTft  chcy 
kept,  they  were  happy  in  their  communion  with 
God,  and  had  doninion(^)  over  the  creatures. 


CHAP.     V. 
O/  diving  providence* 

*•  f~**  O  D    the    good    creator  of  all  things,  in 

^— *   bis  infinite   power  and.wifdom,  doth  <  a  ) 

uphold,  direct,    difpofc,    and   govern  all   creatures, 

and  things,  from  the  grearcft  even  to  the(£)  leait, 

by  his    moft  wife  and  holy  providence,  to  the    end 

for    which  they    were  created*    according  unto  kts 

^^^                                                      infallible 
— . , __ — 

I  Ecclef  7.  29.  Gen.  1.  26  g  Rom  2.  1 4.  I  c. 
h  Gen.  3.  6.  i  Ge*.  6.  17.  &  Ch.  } .  8>  9»  ■ *« 
k  G*fl.  2.  26,  28.  a  J*«£#  r.  v  J*£»  $8-  '!■ 
J/*.  46.10,  11.  P/i//»  ij.  c.  6.  b  Mttth.  10.26, 
Jo,  ji. 


1$ 

villi  to  the    priife   of  tlic 

n  ro  the  fore-knowledge, 
id>  the  fi:  it  ciuic.   all  things  c 

isnot 
Ht   his 
- 
:o   fill  o  i:  C  of  fecend 

caufcs-  :r,ilp\ 

;.   God  in    iii   or  »«  (g)   inakerh 

tift  of  means i    \c:  is    free     ( /;  )  ro  woik    vs. 
(i  )  above,  zr\£(k  )  againft  rhem  at  his  pleasure. 
4..  1  .  tdom,and 

nfelves 
,-,  that   his  determinate  counid  (/) 
■  .1  all  other 
ns  both  of  angels  and  men  i   [andr- 

. ich   alio  he   raoft  wifely 
rrrally    (m)    bomderh,  anjotl-.crwife  orde- 
: 
I  (  n)   en. Is:   vet    fo,  as   the    (infulnefs 

only    from  the  ctea 
m iLa and 

c  Epb.  1.  11.    d    A&$  1.2%,   e  Prc-j    16.    33.    f 
Gen.  8-   22.  £   ^tfj  £7.  }  !.   j  5  .   10,    1 1# 

-.  k  !>;*. 

1.    is 

I 


\C  Of  divine  pr«~j?den:e. 

and  not  from  God;  who  being  moft  holy  and 
righteous,  neither  is  ncr  can  be,  the  author  or  (o) 
ppprever  of  fin. 

5.  The  m oft  wife,  righteous,  and  gracious  Gpdt 
Apth  oftentimes,  leave  for  a  feaion  his  own  children 
to  manifold  temptations,  and'  the  conuptiens  of 
their  own  heart,  ro  chaflife  them  for  former  fins,  or 
to  dHcover  unto  them  the  lidder  firerght  of  cor. 
ruption,  and  deeeirfulnefs  of  their  beans,  .'/>v  that 
they  mar  be  humbled;  and  to  raife  them  to  a 
mose  c!o'e  and  cor. dan t  dependence  fcr  t!  eir  fnp^ 
port  upon  himfelf;  and  to.  make  them  more  watch- 
ful againfl  all  future  cccaticr.s  of  fin,  and  for  other 
Juft  &v,£   Lc?ly  ends. 

So  that  whatfoever  befalls  any  of  his  cVCt  is  by 
his  appointment,  for  lis  glory,   (  cj  J  and  their  good* 

6.  As  fot  rhofe  wicked  and  ungodly  men.,  wh^m 
Cod  a',  a  righteous  j;dge,  for  former  fn  rfotl  (r) 
blind  and  harden  ;  from  them  he  not  only 
hoJdcth  his  (  s)  gra^c,  whereby  they  might  have 
been  enlighrned  in  their  underftanding,  and  wrought 
rpon  in  their  hearts;  but  fometimes  alfo  withdraw- 
rth.(r)  the  gifts  which  they  had,  and  expofeth 
them  to  fiich  [u]  obje&s  as  their  corruptions make 
eccafion  cf  tin  >  and  withal,  (x)  gives  them  .over 

to_ 

o   Vfalm   50     2\     l^fabn   t.  16.   p   1  Chron.  32. 
2  $,16,]  1.   2  Sam.  24   1.    2  Ccr.  12.  7,8.  9    c\Rom. 
g.  23.  r  Rom,  1,  14.  iy.  23     Ch.  11    7    8.    5    Debt. 
2.9.4.  r  A**^*.  r*-  I2»   K  ^  'f7    2    P-     ir 
12.  ij.%  Pvtf/,v;gi.ii    12*  2lhc£.t.l?,  iir.t2. 


Of  tbef*U  of  m*n,  of  yn>    an4  t? 

bi   ami   temptations   of      - 

us  to  pafs, 
ntclves,  even  u 

;  ing  or  others. 
>th    in   genera! 
i  :c  fpecia] 
?,  and  difj 
good  thereof. 


C   H  A   P.     VI. 

*•  cf  fin,  and  of  the  pHnijkmei 

-  / 

J.     A  Lchough  Gcdire:*tt.i m*n  upright,  an 
L  k 

kept  it,   (  j 
neJ  death  upon  the  breach  thereof*  yel   he  uid  n 
ic  in  rliis  honour;  (£)  Sjtan  uiing  i 

it  to   feduce    Eve>  then    by    bei 
fediK.                 ;,   *ho   wit!  out  any  compulsion,  di 
;efs  the  law  of  rhcii 
1  nand  given  unto  them,  in  eating  die  forbid- 
den fruit  i   which  God  was  pleafcd  according  to  his 
wifc  and  holy  counfel  to  permit;    hatirg  purpofc 
to  otvlcr  k*  to  bis  owr,  glory, 
B   t 2.  G  >i 

y  Exod.%.  ic,  ;a.     ifk  6.  ?>  10.     i  Vet,  a.  ;■ 
2  i  Tim.  4   io.^f/awo.g,  o.  //*4*.  ]*4>    $.    «*  C 

2t-i6»i7-»  k  G*».  3   i2>  ij.    z  Or,  1 1 . 


Ig  Of  the  pumjhmsnt  thereof, 

2.  Our  fitft  partnts  by  this  fin,  fell  from  thcit 
(f)  original  rightcoufnefs  ao<i  .cpminiUlipn  with 
God,  and  we  in  them,  whereby  death  came  upon 
all;  (d)  all  becoming  dead  in  ft n ,  and  wh'olly  de- 
filed, (e)  in  all  the  faculties*  and  parts  of  foul  and 
body. 

3.  They  being  the  [f)  root,  and,  by  God's  ap- 
pointment, itanding  in  the  room,  and  (lead  of  all 
mankind  j  the  guilt  of  the  fin  was  imputed,  and 
corrupted  nature  conveyed  to  all  their  pofterity,  de- 
fending; from  rhem  by  oriinary  generation,  being 
now  (g)  conceived  in  fin,  and  by  nature  children 
(/•)  of  wrath,  the  (ervancs  of  [in,  the  fubjcdU  (/) 
of  death,  and  all  other  miieiies,  fpiritiual,  tempo- 
ral and  eternal,  unj'efs  the  Lord  Jejus  (J)  let  theui 
free. 

4..  From  this  original  corruption,  whereby  we  arc 
(/)  utterly  indifpofed,  diiabled,  and  made  oppofite, 
to  all  good,  and  wholly  inclined  to  all  evil>  do  (  m  ) 
proceed  all  a&ual  tun  Igit  (Turns. 

$.  This  corruption  of  nature,  during  this  Jifc, 
doth  (  n  )  remain  in  thofe  that  are  regenerated  :  and 
although  it  be  through  Chrijl  pard  med,  and  morti- 
fied, 


let  both  itfclf,   «  .otions   tl  : 

arc  tr  : 


C  H 
Of  G 

14   r~TA  H  E   difbrce  between  a  creature 

is  fo  great  that  although  rcaf<»nub!e  cra- 
tftres  Jo  owe  obdikncr  unto  hill 

creator,  »uld  never    have    attained    t\  e 

lite,    but  by  fomc  (a)  voluntary    con. 

c<i  to  expiefs,   by  way  or  crv$m090, 
i.  Moreover,   m*n  'living  bfcui: 

the  curje  ot  the  law    bv  his  tail,  it   p\ 

trd  to  make  a  cwtriAiit  of^r,.  tin  he 

freel)  off*  reth  uflto  finntts  fc )  lib  on  by 

0;;-/j?,  requiring  of' them    faith  in   biro,   thit 

may   be  laved;   and    (d)  p'omifing  to  give 

unto  all    thefe  that    are  ordained   unto  eternal  /*/>> 

his  holy  /fir it,  to  make  them  willing,   and  able  to 

believe. 

;,  This  eo-jenxnt  is  revea'ed  in  the  £ofpel  firft 
of  all  to  Adam  in  the  pton.ife  of  falvation  bv  the 
M- 'the 

o  Rom.  7.  24,  2v  Gal.  f.  17^  a  tuti  17.  10, 
Job  $$•  7-  •  3    K      G*4    ;.   'O.    Rim.f. 

2oiit    c   k*m.  8-  }♦    ***>*  16     ie,  16.    y#*»  }# 
.x6,d£*^'.  36,26.  XT*  J^9>44  45.  /*/*//»  no.  j* 


•2^  Of  Go  J' $  covenant* 

(t)  feed  of  the   woman    and  afterward  by  farther 

iicps,  untill     the  fail    (/)  difcovery    thereof    was 

conapjea/ed  in  the  new  teftament;  asd  it  is  founded 

in  that  (*j   eternal    covenant  traniaction,   tl^at  was 

sen   the  T&thtr  and  tlie  Son  abouc  the  rcden-p- 

tion  of  the  eltcf^  and  it    is  alore  by   the   glace  of 

this  covtnanti  rhat  all    of  ihe  pofUrity   of   fallen 

Adam>   that  ever  were  <%)  laved,    did    obtain  life 

and  bleiled    immortalit) ;  man   being  now   utterly 

uncapa&ls  of  acceprance  with  God  upon  thok fuerms 

on  which  Adam  flood  in  his  itate  of  innocency. 


G  H  A  P.    VJII-r 

0/  Chrijl  the  jheiUtcK 

1.  |T  plcafeth  God >  in  his  ctcr  .  ;e,  to 
A  chufc  and  ordiio  the  Lord  Jcju^  his  only 
begotten }on>  according  to  the  covenant  made  be- 
tween them  both,  (*)  to  be  the  mediate*  between 
Go^and  mxn\  the  i &J  prophet,  (<r)  pricftand(V) 
king;  head  and  faviour  of  his  church,  the  heir  of 
all  things,  andjuigp  of  the  world  i  unto  whom  he 
<Ud 

e  Gen,  J*  1$;  f  Hcb.  i,-i.  *  2  lim.  i4  £.  Ti>#i* 
2  g  tf#£.  II.  6.  I}.  Kern. 4.  i>z.&c.A&s4  12* 
J*£/?8.'c6.'  a  i/ki  42  l«  b  iPet.j.  9,  io«  £#«£. 
S-  f>  *•  d  Pfal.2.6.  Luke  1.  33.  £/>£.  1.  ^.Htb, 
1.2,..  Acts  17.31. 


tttor.  21 

i  to  be  ius 
time  redeemed,  called, 

2.     1 

I 

of  one  fubfhr.ee,  and 

W  \\Q    Up- 

•c    with  J 

snd  fcn*,mcn   i?  of  ( ?)   \a    without 

conceived  by  the  Mfffh  wpmb 

rhc  /x'//  <///r//'  coming    down 

upon   I  ;   the  mofi  ligh  over- 

her  (A)   ar.d  fo    w.^s  nude  cfa  w* 
of  the  .  rhe  C^cd  o  <f?»  and 

i  that    two 

[n<9    natures,  were  infepa- 

•:  ether  in  i  it  con- 

h  pcrfrn  is 

m*n}  vet  one  (/')    Cbriji 

}.   1  human   nature    thus 

K    was 

ab 

e  1/4  g.  joif  I 

4-    J6\   17. 


2  2  Of  &Jfifl  Ator. 

above  mcaflire;  having  in  him  ( /)  aJ|  rhe  creatures 
©f  wifdom  and  knowledge  ;  in  whomir  pleated  tJ 
fo*r,  chat  O  )ali  fulnefs  iWald  dwell 
being  (»)  holy,  harmfefs,   undefiled,  and  fal 
of  grace,  and  m*/^,   he  might  be  throughly  furnith- 
ed  to  .execute    t'  e    office  of  a  mediator,    an  : 
furety,  which  office 

was  hereunto  (^)  called   by  hi$  father*  who   alio 
put  (r)  ail  power  and  judgment   in    his  hand,   and 
gave  him  commandment  to  eveevre  rhe  fame. 
4.   Thifc,  office  rhe    Lord  ftfus  did  naoft  ( s 
ling! y  undertake,   which  that  he  might  cifchargehe 
was  made  under  the  law,  (>)  and  did  perfectly  faiffl 
it,  and   underwent  the   (u)  puni&ment  due  to  us,. 
which  we    fliould  have    born  and    fuffcrcJ,    being 
made  (x)  fin  and  a  curfe  tor  us;    end' 
£riev<  is   (y  )  in  his  foul  ;  and  mofr  painmi 

Coffering  s  in  his  b  >d)  ;  was  rrucMicd,    and  died,  and 
xe  nained  in  the  flaw  of  the  dexdi  yet  (aw  no  (z.) 
corruption;   on  the  (#;  third  day  he  arofe  fr 
dead,   wiin  tie  Lme  (£j  bo<Jv  in  which  he   . 
cd$   with  which  he    alio  {c)  aicendec  into  heaven; 

and 

'  &lm  2.  ;,  m  O?/.  1.  19.  r  ri<?^,  7.  16.  o 
X.  14,  p  Het.7.vt..nHeb.c'm<\  r  folmf.  21,  27. 
!***/.  28.18  A#  2  36.  s  Pjalm+o.  1%.  Heb.  10. 
5  -  11.  •/otoi  10.  1 3  t  Ga&  4.4  Mat,  y.  is  u 
G*/.  3.  1  j.  //*  ST.  6.  1  Pet.  ;.  18.  x  2  C<w\  c,  21. 
J- Matt.  26.  }7>  |I.  L**e  2:.  44..  Mitt  2 
z  ^#513.  if,  a  1  C^.  t  v  =,  4.  b  ^'W/«  20,  2s  27. 
c  A*/*/*  16. 16.  ^^  1.  9;  10;  11. 


* r  (  d  ) 

:!d. 
S    Tl  :rfccT:  ^bctiicnccand 

ugh  the  eternal 

o  Co^,  (/)   hath  fu!i\  &«. 

-  nciiiation, 

ami  purchased  an  evc!  .nrheking- 

aven,  (g  )  1  •  ic  whom  the  l . 

en  unto  him. 

i    was  not 
\  ar7iaticnt 
virtuc>  eft c act,    and  benefit  tl 

ft  in  all  ages  (ucci/livclj, 
in  and  b) 
•.  iicietn  he  was  reveal. 
of  the  woman,  which 
;;c  the  (ei pint's  hcac  ;  (b)  and  the 

,  arJtfor  e-jer. 

-   c  brilti'i  :!c  wotk  of  medtxrton   avffeth  accor- 

:ii  natures     by   each   nature  doing    thac 

i  is  propel  toitfelf;  }  cr  bj  rcafojj  of  the  unity 

loo,   that   •■  .  icpcr  ro  one  nature, 

aes  in  Jcripttoc  attributed   to  the  perfon 

( o 

8»  To 

"K  8    54.  ^^.9.2  42.    K*tf*. 

14.  9*10,   ^#j  I.  10,    t"   £te£.  9.   14.   Cb.    io#    14. 

rjn  17,2.    /ir^.9#  If.  *   J  Or, 

1.    1  *>etm  1.  10.  11.  h  Rtv.  13.  8.  i 

1  J,  8.  k  J^»  ;.  15.  Aftiio,  18. 


2  4  Of  Chrift   tie  mediator \ 

8  To  all  thofc  for  whom  Chrift  hath  obtained  c 
teriul  redemption,  he  doth  certainly  and  effectual 
ly  (/)  apply,  and  communicate  the  fame ;  making 
interceffion  for  them;  uniting  them  to  bimfelf  h) 
hisSpiiiti  (m)  revealing  unto  them,  in  and  bj  rh< 
word,  the  myftery  of  (aivarion;  perfwacfirig  them  tc 
bdieve,  and  obey*  (#)  governing  their,  hearts  b) 
his  word  and  fpijit,  and  (0)  overcoming  all  their 
enemies  by  his  almighty  power,  and  wifdorni  ir 
fuch  manner  and  ways,  as  are  moll  confonant  tohif 
wonderful,-  and  (/>)  unfearchablcdifpenfar.ien >  and 
all  of  free,  and  abiolute  grace,  without  any  conditi 
on  fcrefeen  in  them,    to  procure  it. 

9,  This  office  of  mediator  between  God  and  man, 
is  proper  (q  )  only  to  Chrift,  who  is  the  prophet, 
prieft,  and  king  of  the  church  of  God.i  and  may 
not  be  either  in  whole,  or  any  part  thereof  ttans^er- 
r'd  from  him  to  any   orher. 

10.  This  nuiibcr  and  order  of  offices  h  ntcefla- 
ry  j  for  in  refpect;  of  onr  (r)  ignorance,  wc  ftaud 
in  need  of  his  prophetical  office ;  and  in  refpeel:  of 
our  alienation  from  God;  (5)  and  imperre&ion  of 
the  beftof  our  fervices,  we  need  his  piieitiy  office, 
to  reconcile  11s  and  prefenr  us,  acceptable  unto  God  : 
and  in  refpeel  of  our  averfenefs,  and  utter  ina- 
bility 

1  John  6,  37.  Chap.  10,  rj,  16.  &  Chh  17.  9 
K&m.  $.  io*  m  John  17.6.  Eph+  1.  9-  *Jobn  5. 
20.  n  Rem.$.  9,  14.  pfalm.  no,  r.  1  Cor.  5.2^ 
26.  pjohn  3.  g.  Epb.  1.  8.  q  1  Tim.  2.  5.  tjohn 
I«  J8.  i'.C*k  rt  21.  Gal.  5.  17 


ro  return  to  God,  and  for  our  refcue,  andfevj- 
»m  fpiritua]  adversaries,  wc  nt*cd  his 
vC,  fuklur,  draw,   u 
,   and  pjcfc  heavenly  kingdodu 


CHAT.     IX. 

0/  />**    wiUt 

i,     (T^O  ^    'iat^  i»«focd  the  will  oi 

\JT  that  natural  liberty  ard  power  of  a 

upon  choice,  that  ic  is  <a)  neither  for* 
ccd,  nor  b\  any  nectlfity  of  nature  deicimincd  to  do 
good    or  evil. 

Un  in  his  ftarc  of  innoceney,    had  freedom, 

ard  power,  to  will,  and  to  do,  that  (£)  which  was 

gooa,  and   rtelp  leafing   to  God i  but    )cc    r      vv.s 

>!e.   fo  chat  he  might  fall  from  it. 

Ian   by  l>i$  fti!  into  a  ftateof  fin,  hath  whof- 

ly  loft  [d     all  ability  of  will,  to  an\  (piritual  gi  oJ 

ring  fa  I  rationj  fo  as  a  natural  man 
altogether  averfe  from  that  good,     e     and  dead   in 
hn,  is  notable,  by  his  own  ftxengthi   ro  ' f    con- 
vert hiniicrf,  or  to  prepare  bimieli  thereunto. 
C 4.  >Xf"cn 

hn  16    8*   ffalw  no.    }.     Ltt'e   74.    7*.  a 
17-   12.  Jaw,    r.  14    Dtut    jo.   ro.    b  £r- 
*/*;.   7.   29.  c   Ge*.  $.6.   d   tow.    c.  6.  O;.   g.  7, 
?.  2.  1   j,  f  1/7.  3.  3,  4,  j,  John  6.  44. 


26  Oftjft&ual  calling. 

4,  Wncn  God  cenveits  a  firmer,  and  tranfiates 
him  into  the  ftate  of  grace,  Q)  he  freeth  him  rrom 
bis  natural  bondage  under  fin,  and  by  his  giace  a- 
lone,  enables  him  (£)  freely  to  vyill,  and  to  do 
that  which  is  fpiriruallv  good;  vet  fo  as  that,  by 
reafon  of  his  ( /)  remaining  corruption*,  he  doth 
not  perfectly  nor-  only  will  char  which  is  good, 
bur  doth  alfo  will  that  which  is  evil. 

5*  The  will  of  man  is  made  (k)  perfectly  and 
immutably  free  to  good  alone  in  the  ftatc  of  glory 
only. 


CHAP.     X. 

Of  ejfiftual  calling. 

l4  r*TlHofe  whom  God  hath  predeftinated  unto 
life,  he  i's  pleafed  in  his  appointed  and 
accepted  time  (a)  effectually  to  call  by 
his  word  and  fpirit,  out  of  that  ftate  of  Cn  and 
death,  in  which  they  arc  by  nature,  to  grace  and 
falvation  (£)  by  Jefus  Chrift,  cnlightnirg  their 
jninds,    fpiritually  and  favingly,  io(c)  underftand 

the 

g  Col.  i.  i^>Jobn%.  36.  h  Phi  2.  lj.i  Row. 
£.  1*5,  l8>  J9>  22,2;.  k  Epb.  4.  15.  A  f#w.  8. 
30.  Rom.  1  r«  7.  Epb,  i,  10.  11.2.  Theffi,  J.  1;, 
14.  b  Epb.  2.  .V-6.  c  A8s  26.  18*  fyh  *•  7- 
J8. 


Of    effel H*l    celling  27 

1  king  «w*f 
ftonc,    1  n  a  heart  of  ftrflu    r; 

ermi- 
vi,  and  cl 

they 
.     being  made  willing  b;»   bif 

pace. 

2.    This  cffe&aal  call  is  of  God's  free  and  fpecial 

• 

.   po  sl:  v»:  agency   in  the 
co  werki  bis  fpecia)  grace;  ( 

re  being  wholly  paJEtc  therein,  bungdeaJin 
fins  and   rrefpafles,   until  being   quick  ncd  and  1 
cd  bv  ifitj  he  is  thereby    enabled   to  an- 

this  call,  and   to   embrace    the  «race  offered 
ed  in  ir,  and  that  bv  no  lets  (  i )  power 
which  raiftd  up  Chrift  fionvfhe  dead. 
%     HJccl  infants  dj  ing  in  infancy,  are  ( A  )  legtnc- 
fatcd    and  faved  by  Cluift    thro'  the   Spirit,     who 
.% hen,     and     where,    and    (/)     how   he 
plealet!: :     To  alfj  are  all  other  fled  peifons,     who 
aie  uncapablc  of  being  outwardly  called  by  t: 
:ac  word, 
4.  Ochcis  not  cycled,   aitho*  they  may  be  called 

by 


d  Ezti  1 6.   26,  e    D.nt%    jo,   6.    ?•**.    }5.   27. 
r.  19.    I   Tj*lm   11,  %   5%    £s*t<    U  4.     £2 

1.  0,   Ef';  2.   3.   h    1    Cjr.  2.    14     ^A   2.  $, 
9.    IV  i   ^  7.   129      ;^,  k  ;,;'] 
6,  1  John  j.  S. 


23  Of  JHJlificaticu. 

hy  the  mini  dry  of  the  word,  (w)*and  mar  have 
iome  common  operations  of  the  fpiriu  yet,  not 
being  effectually  drawn  by  the  father,  they  neitiier 
will,  nor  can  truly  {  n  come  coChriit;  and  there- 
for* cannot  be  iavcd  :  much  lefs  can  men  that  re- 
ceive net  rhe  chriftian  religion  o\  be  (z\z&»  be 
they  never  io  diligent  to  frame  their  lives  according 
to  the  light  of  nature,  and  the  law  of  that  religion 
th:v   do  profefs. 


CHAP.    XI. 

Of  j-uftifieation. 

j,    rTlH  O  5  E  whom  God  eifedually  calletS 
he  alto  freely  {a     juftificth,  Hot  by  mhi- 
fog  righteoufnefs  into  them,  butby;£) 
pardoning  their  fins,  and  by  accounring  and  accep- 
ting their  perfens   as  (  c )   righteous  j    not  for  any 
thing  wrought  in  them,   or  done  by  them,  but  for 
ift's  fake  alone?   not   by    imputing    faith   itielf 
the  aft  of  believing,  or  any   other  (d)  evangelical 
obedience  to  them,    as  their  righteoufnefs,     but   by 

imputing 

m  HtkK  22.  4.  C'.  I  J.  20  2i.  Heb.  6.  4.  e# 
n  ]oh»  6.  44.  4S>  6v  rj«**.a.  -4'  25.  °  Afts\. 
12.  ]obn  4>  21.  Chm  17.  5.  a  Rom.  %.  24.  Cb* 
g.  joi  b  Rom.  4.  v  *>  7*  8«  EpK  V  7*  c  *  Cr?r- 
I.  30.  $r.  Ron*  <>.  17,  is,  19.  d  AMI  J*  8>  9» 
^  a.  3,  9*  10. 


0/  '*. 

imputing  ChriiVs  a&ivc  obedience  onto  t!*e  whole 

;nd   ptfTWt  ct  in   his  death,  for 

whole  and  fole  rightcoufnefs J     thej  (    )  receiving 

-  on   him,  and  his  righteoufnek  by 
which  they  Lave  not  of  thcmfelvcs  i  it  is  the    gift 
of  God. 

2.  Fait*  thus  receiving  and  refringon  Chrifl  and 
his  righreoufncfr>,  is  the  [f)  alone  inftrument  of 
juflification :  yet  ic  is  not  abne  in  the  pcrfon  jus- 
tified, but  is  ever  :u:companicd  with  all  other  faving 
f;raccs,  and  is  n©  dead  faith,  I  g)  but  worketh  by 
ovc. 

}.  Chrifl,  by  his  obedience  and  death,  didfuHj 
difebarge  the  debt  of  allrhofe  thacare  juftified;  and 
did  by  the  facrificc  of  himfelf,  in  the  blood  of  his 
crofs,  undergoing  in  their*(tcad  the  penalty  due  un- 
to them,  make  a  proper,  real  and  full  fnis faction 
/;  to  God's  julhce  in  their  behalf;  yet  inafmuch 
as  l.e  was  gi\en  by  tie  Father  for  them,  and  his  o- 
bedience  and  fatisracYion  accepted  in  their  (lead,  anj 
both(/)  freely,  not  for  any  thing  in  them,  their  juf- 
lification is  only  cf  fiee  grace,  that  bo:h  the  exact- 
juftice  and  rich  grace  of  God  rr.ight  be  k  glo- 
rified fa  ation   of  finneis. 

4.  God  did  fvoro  all  eternity  decree  co  J  )u\- 
Ci *fy 

:hn  i.  ii  .     f  Rom.  j.  23-  g 

QaL    c;^  6.  Jama  z  16.   h   Heh.ii-    14. 

I  fez.  i.  18.  19.   If**,  f  $.  5   6.  i   Rem.  8-  }2.  I  Cor. 
9.   Si.  k  Rem.  j.    26.   Eph.    r.    6,  7,  Cba.  %.  J; 


fco  Of  Adoption. 

tiry  all  the  demand  ChriftdiJfa  the  fulncfs  of  time 
die  for  their  fins,  and  (ai)  rife  agiin  for  th^ir  j  if- 
rification;  nevertheless  thev  are  notjuftified  perfo* 
Uallf,  until  the  holy  Spirit  doth  in  due  time  (  »  } 
a&uallv  apply  Chrift  unto  rhem. 

$.  God  doth  continire  to  {*  )  forgive  the  fins  of 
thofc  that  art  juftified;  and  although  thev  can  never 
fail  from  the  (late  of  (/>))  j-iftification,  yet  they  may 
by  their  fins  fall  under  God's  (^)  fatherly  difplca- 
fure;  and  in  that  condition,  they  have  nor  ufuaily 
rhe  light  of  his  countenance  reftored  unto  them, 
until  they  (r)  hfimble  themfelves,  confefs  thtir 
fins,  b^g  pardon,  and  sene  at  their  faith  and  repen- 
tance. 

6  The  juftificauVfi  of  believers  under  the  old 
tcPurrum,  was  :n  all  tittle  refpeds  ( s)  one  and  rhe 
ftrre  with  the  justification  or  believers  under  the 
new  tc (lament.. 


A 


C  H  A  P.    XII. 

Of  *dipti9m 

L  L  rhofe  that  are  juftified,   God  vouchfafed  in 
and  ror  the  fake  o;  iiis  only  fen  J*  #'  Chrtfi, 

to. 


rn  L\om.  4.  2f.  n  Col.  i  21,12.  Tit.  ;  4  $,6, 
7#.  o  Mat.  6.  12.  Ij'ol?ii.J9.  p  John  10.  ig. 
q  //*/;»  89  j  i,j  2.  3  J  t  Pfalm  }i.  S.&$l.  Mat. 
a6.  7c#s   G*/.  3*9.    taw.  4.  22.  23.  2 f. 


.idepticn.  j  j 

to  make  parrakers  of  the   price  (a)  of    nd 
ire  taken  into  I 

\  t  lh< 

thefpirit  o'\  a4 >ption,  (  e  )  ha*c  accefe  to  the  throne  of 
.  wirhboldncfs;  u  to  cry.y/ 

')    [':ric*:,  ;'<=)  protected,    (#)  provided   tor, 
and  (  him,  as  bf  \  tarhcj  ;   -  et  never 

(/J  call  off,  butfcalcd  (/tf)to  the  day  of  re, 
tion,  and  inherit  thepromifes,  (*)  as  heirs  of  ever* 
lading  falvati 


C  H  A  P.     XIII. 
Of  fanHtification* 

*.  f  I  ^  HEY   who  are  anited  to   Chriir,  effco 

I       tiulljr  ca'icd,    and    re.  haying  a 

new  beast  and  a  ne«  fpirit  cleared  in  thevn, 

through  the  virtue  of  Quid's  death  and  rtfune&i- 
Ite  alfo  Qm  )  farther  fardificd,   really  and    per- 

fonally,  through  the  6n  e  virtue*  (&)  by  his  word 

Cj and 

a  Epbef  i  c.  G*/.  4  4,  c#  b  John  j.  12.  Bern. 
8.1".  c  2O.6.  18  ft*t>  3.  '2.  d  /  ;*.  8-^f. 
tG*i  +  6  £/>//*  .  2.  18  f  P/V06  cj  1  j.  g  Pr^i/. 
14  26.  i  l  ret.  j.  7.  k  lice.  12.  6.  1  Jjatdb  C4. 
8,  9.  £«*.  j.  jr.  m  Fffc.  4,  ;o,  n  Heb.  r.  14. 
Ca?a/>.  6.  12    ayf/?<20   32.  few  6   <;>  6    bjtbmij. 


J  %  Of  fan&ificai  ion. 

and  fpirit  dwelling  in  them;  (r)  the  dominion  of 
the  whole  body  of  fin  is  deftroved,  (d)  and  thefe- 
vcral  iufts  thereof,  are  more  and  more  weakned,  and 
mortified;  and  they  more  and  more  quickned,  and  (.* ) 
ftrengrhned  in  all  faving  graces,  to  the  (/)  prac- 
tice of  all  true  holinefs,  without  which  no  man  mall 
fee  the  Lord. 

t.  This  fan  edification  is  (g)  throughout  in  the 
whole  man,  yet  imperfect  (/?)  in  this  life  >  there 
abideth  (till  fomc  remnants  of  corruption  in  every 
part,  whence  arifeth  a  (#)  continual  and  irreconci- 
lable war;  the  flefli  luftin^  againft  the  fpirit,  and 
the  fpirk  againft  the  flcih. 

j.  In  which  war,  although  the  remaining  cor- 
ruption for  a  time  way  much  (&)  prevail,  yet 
through  the  continual  fupply  of  ftrength,  from  the 
fan&ify ing fpirit  of  Chr >ft,  (/)  the- regenerate  part 
«Joth  overcome;  and  fo  the  faints  grow  in  grace,  per- 
fecting holinefs  in  the  fear  of  Gcd,  ( m)  pre  lung  af- 
ter an  heavenly  life,  in  evangelical  obedience  to  all 
the  commands  which  Chrift,  as  head  and  king,  in 
his  word  hath  prefcribed. to  them, 

CHAP, 

—  i  —————— — — .       ii  *• 

c  Rem.  6.  14*  d  Gal.  y.  14.  24.  e  Col.  1.  n.  f 
2  Cor.  J.  1.  Heb.  12. 14.  g  1  Theft  5.2J.  h  Rom. 
7.  1$.  *.  1  Gal.  5.  17.  I  Pet.  2.  ».  k  Rom. 
7.  %l.  1  Row.  6.  14,  id  £/>£.  4,  15,  16.  2  Ctfr* 
|.l8*    Cia^-J.  I, 


C     33     ) 

CHAP.     XIV. 

Of/dvini  faith. 

J.   r  1  ^  H  I  grace  of /.##/£,  whereby  the  elefl  arc 

JL     enabled  co  believe  to  the  laving  of  lheir 

fouls,  is  the   work  or    the  fpirit  of  Chrtjf  (a  )  in 

s,  and  is  ordinarily  wrought  by  the  mini- 

(try  of  the  (£J  word;    by  which   alfo,   and  by  rhe 

iitratiun  of    iaftijm,  and    the  Lord's  fi 

and  other  rrrtAns  appointed  of  God>    it  is  in- 

crcaled,  (r)  and  llrengthned. 

2.  By  this /*#/£,  a  chriftian  believeth  to  be  true, 
*  whatfoever  is  revealed  in  rhe  word,  for  the  au- 
thority of  God  himfelTj  and  alfo  apprchendcth  an 
excellency  therein  (</)  above  all  other  writings'* 
and  all  things  in  the  world:  as  it  bears  forth  rhe 
glory  of  God  in  his  attributes,  the  excellency  of 
Cbrift  in  his  nature  and  offices,  and  the  power  and 
fulneTsof  the  holy  Spirit  in  his  workings  and  ope- 
rations; and  fo  is  enabled  to(0  caft  his  foul  upon 
the  truth  thas  believed,  and  alio  a&eth  differently 
upon  i\  h     each    particular    paflige    thereof 

containcrh  I  (/)  com- 

mands*   tu  (i)  rhreatnings.  and  ciu- 

C   $  icing 

a  2  Or.  4   ij,     £/>';.  z   8.  b   Rom.   io#  14.  17, 
1    17.  5.    i.2V/«  2.  2.  -r4£;    20.  ;2.  *  vf?/ 
14,  14.  d  tfmlm  19.  7,  8>  9-  io-  ?>/»  119.  7*. 
c  i   I*/*,  r.  ia.  f  y^*  IS*  *4.   g  Jj\66.  2. 


J  4  Of  repentance  un*o  lift  and  falvat  h». 

bracing  the(&)  promifes  of  God,  for  this  life,  and 
that  which  it  ro  come:  but  the  principal  acls  of 
faving  faith,  hath  immediate  reLtion  to  Chr$ft> 
accepting,  receiving,  and  reding  upon  (#)  him  a- 
Ir.ne,  for  jaftificadon,  fandificarion,  and  eternal 
Jife,    hi   virtue  of   the  covenant  of  grace. 

;  This  faith,  although  it  be  different  in  de- 
g  ecc,  and  mar  be  weak,  (.£)  or  ftrong,  yet  it  is  in 
the  ieaft  degree  ol  it,  different  in  the  kind,  and  na- 
ture of  ir  (as  is  all  other  Living  grace)  'iom  the  fafffi 
(  )  and  common  grace  of  temporal)  believers  i  and 
re,  tho'  itma\  be  many  times  aflailed  and 
wcaknedi  yet  it  gets  (#*  )  the  victory,  growing; 
up  in  many  to  the  attainment  of  a  hill  (*)  aflu- 
rance  through  Chrifii  who  is  both  the  au;hoi  (<?) 
and  finiflier  of  out  faith. 


CHAP.     XV. 
Of  repentance  unto  life  and  falvat  ion* 

*•  C  U  C  H  of  the  elect  as  are  converted  ar  ri- 
^  per   yeais,.  having  (*)  fomcrimes   lived    in 

the  fta:e  of  nature,  and  therein  ferved  divers  lufts 
and 

h  tf*£.n,  rj.  i  John  i.  12,  A8si6.  jf.  G»l. 
£.  20.  Acl>  I>,  ii.  k  Heb.  $,  i  j,  14:  Matt.  6. 
j.o.  Fiom,  4  19.  20.  1  2  Fet,  1.  |.  m  T.ph.d.  16. 
lj^*S*4*S-  n  Fieb.6.11,  iz*  CoJ.2.2*0  Reb. 
ia.  1.  a   lit.  }..  2, 3»4>  5- 


Ofrefentance  unto  life  and  fu'vation.        J  5 

pleafurei,  God  in  chcii  c feci  nai  calling  givcth 
them   repenr^nce  unto   lite. 

2.  Whereas  there  is  none  that  doth  good,  and 
(innctli  (£ )  not,  and  thebeft  of  men  may,  through 
ri.e   power   and    deccirfulnefs    of   their  cotruptu  n 

"ing  in   them,   with  the  prevailency   of  temp- 

n,  tall  into  grcarcr  fins  and  provocations, 
God  hath  in  the  covenant  of  grace,  mercifully 
provided  that  brlicvers  (o  finning  and  falling,^) 
be  renewed    through  repentance  unro  falvarion. 

;.  This  faving  repentance  is  an  (  d)  evange- 
lical grace,  whereby  a  per  (on,  being  by  rhe  holy 
Spirit,  made  fenhble  or  the  manifold  evils  of  his 
fin,  doth,  by  faith  in  Chrift,  humble  himfelf  for 
it,  with  gcdly  lonow,  deteilarion  of  ir,  and  felf- 
abhorrencyj  (*)  praving  foi  paidon  ard  ftrcngtb 
of  grace,  wirh  a  pwpoie  and  endeavour  b>  fup- 
plies  of  the  jfvit  to  (/)  walk  before  God  unio 
all   well  plealing  in    all   things. 

4,  As  cepefltanee  is  re  be  continued  through  the 
whole  tourfe  of  oui  \w  \  \  -c  of  the 

boo)  of  death,     and  tl  c  \  (hereof;  fo  it  is 

ever^    man's    1  pent   ci  his  (3)  particular 

•  n  fim,  jar  ic   'arly. 
c.   Such  js  the  provifon    which  God  hath  m.^de 
•ft  in  rhc  covenant  <>t  grace,  for  tlic 

Prc\ 

h  Eel  7.  20.  c  Lue  11.  ;i>  \\  \  Zch. 
12.  jo    Ads  \\t  18.  e  Ezji  36    j  1.   2  -.    •  r. 

f   ?J*lm  119.  6.     Fjdlm  119.  ng.  j;  EmU  *o.  8, 
I  Itm.  1  j.  15. 


%6  Of  icod  works, 

prefervarion  of  believers  unto  falvation,  char  al- 
though there  is  no  fin  Co  fm-all,  but  it  deferves 
(/.?)  damnation;  yet  there  is  no  fin  fo  greac,  that 
it  fhall  bring  damnation  on  them  that  (/')  re- 
pent; which  makes  the  conftant  preaching  of  re- 
pentance neceffary. 


CHAP.     XVI. 
Of  good  works 

l*  f^l  OOD  works  art  only  f«ch  as  God  hath 
^-*  (a)  commanded  in  his  holy  word,  and 
rot  fuch  as  without  the  warrant  theteof,  are  de- 
vifed  by  men,  out  of  blind  zeal,  (&)  or  upon  any 
pretence  of  good  intentions, 

2»  Thefe  good  works,  done  in  obedience  to 
God's  commandmencs,  are  the  fruirsand  evidences 
(<:)  of  a  true  and  licvely  faith;  and  by  them  be. 
Jievers  manifeft  their  £d)  tbankfulnefs,  ftrengthen 
their  (e)  aflurancc,  cdifie  their  (f)  brethren,  adorn 
the  proFcllion  of  tie  gofoel,  ftop  the  mouths  of  the 
adverfaries,  and  glorifle  (?)  God  whofe  workman- 
flifp  they  are,  created  in  Chrifl  Jefus  (/^thereun- 
to, 
■  «>»hi»»^^— ^— — — —  ■  ■  ■  ■  — — —^—  i       — — —— — ^ 

h  Horn.  C  2;.  i  if  a.  1.  16,  17.  If*.  $$.  7.  aMic 
6.  8-  W^.  l}.2r.  b  Mar,  iy.  9.  I/a,  19,  j  j.  c  Jam. 
2.  18.  2-2.  d  Pfalm  116.  I2>  If.  c  1  J  ohm.  J>  $. 
1  P^,  I,  5--ii>  f  Mat.  c.  \(u  'g  1  Tim.  6.  I.  J 
Vet.  i#  1  j*  P/tf7.  1. 1 1,  h  £/>/?*/.  2,  io* 


Of  good  work:.  5^ 

their  fruit  unro  hoiifiefsj   t!»«v  may 

i  )   ctctrul 

;.    1  icy   to  Jo  good  works,  is  not  at  all 

Ives,  but  wholly  from  the  (pint    (*)of 

;  and  that  the/  n?ay  be  enabled  thereunto,  be- 

ucs  rlicy   have  already  received,    there  is 

actual  influence  of  the  fame  l.ol/ 

Spiiic  to  woik  in  them  to  will,  and  to  do  oi  his  goo  J 

plcafure ;  yet  arc  they  not  hereupon  to  grow  ncgli- 

.:re  not  bound  to  perform  any  duty, 

a  [\  ecial  morion  of  the  Spirit,   but  they 

be  diligent  in  (/w)  ilirring  up  the  grace 

of  God  that  is   in  them, 

i.  They  who    in  their    obedience  attain  to    the 

greateft  beighth  which  is  pofiiblc  in  this  life,  are  fo 

•m  being   able    to  fupcrcrogarc,     a*d   to  do* 

more  1  requires,  as  that  { n)  they  fall    fhoic 

of  much  v\!.kh  in  duty  they  arc  bound  to  do, 

<;.   \X'c  cannot  by  our    beft  works  ifccrit  pardon 

of  fin,  or  eternal  life  at  the  hand  of  God,  by  r< 

of  the  gicat  disproportion  that  is  between  them  and 

the  gloiy  to  cone,  and  the  infinite  dittance   c 

between  us  and  God,   whom  b>  them  we  can  neither 

nur  fatibfy,  for  the  debt  of  our  (0)  former 

vve  havt   done  all  we  can,   we  have 

done  but  our  duty,    and  are    unprc  ritablc   (ervanrs: 

D                                        and 
— • ,,n 

c.    21.  k  Joh*i$*  4,c.  1    iCo\^.  c;# 
ij.  m   Phil.  2.  12.   H§h*  6»  Hi  12.  1/1.64. 
7.  n    'Job?.  2,  $.  G^/.  v  17.  L;:.e  1J,  10.  o  Rom* 
1>  ^O.  Efbi  2,  8>  9.  Rom. 4,6, 


J  3  Of  good  works. 

and  becaufc  as  they  arc  good,  they  proceed  from 
his  (?)  fpirit,  and  as  they  are  wrought  by  us, 
they  arc  defiled,  (9^  and  mixed  with  fo  much  weak- 
nefs  and  impel  fe&ion,  that  they  cannot  endure  the 
fevtrity  of  God's  judgment, 

6.  Yet  notwithftanding  the  perfons  of  believer* 
being  accepted  through  Chrift,  their  good  works 
alfoare  accepted  ia  (r)  faimj  not  as  though  they 
were  in  this  life  wholly  unblameable  and  unrepro. 
vablc  in  God's  fight*  but  that  he  looking  upon  them 
in  his  Son,  is  pleafed  to  accept  and  reward  that 
which  is  (i)  finccre,  although  accompanied  with 
many  weaknefles  and  imperfections. 

7.  Wetks  done  by  u&regeneratc  rren,  although 
for  tht  matter  of  them,  they  may  be  things  which 
God  commands,  and  of  good  ufc,  both  to  them* 
fclves  and  f  *)  others;  yet  bceanfe  they  proceed 
not  from  a  heart  purified  by  (*)  faith,  nor  are 
done  in  a  light  manner  according  to  the  (5^) 
word,  nor  to  a  right  end  the  (#)  glory  of  God, 
they  are  finful,  and  cannot  pleafe  Go*!,  nor  make  a 
man  mttt  to  receive  grace  from  (y)  God;  and 
yet  their  neglect  of  them  is  more  finful,  and  (*,) 
difpleafing  to  God. 
CHAP. 

p  Gal,  5.  22.  2}  #  q  If*.  64,  6.  Vfalm  145  2.  r 
2pb.l.6.  I  ?*/•  2.  $♦  S  MAtt.  2{.2t,2;.  Heb%  6. 
jo.  t  2  Kings  10,  30.  PKbigs  zi.  17,  29.  u  G*. 
4.9.  He£.  11.4,6.  yv  1  Or.  1  j,  1.  x  M*tt.6.  2,$, 
y  Amos  $,  21,11,  LJ>m><),  16-  r*>«;.  f.  z  Job.  l>l« 
14,  15,  MMt.2<i.  4l>4^  43* 


C     39     ) 

CHAP.     XVII. 

Of  perfevtratee  *f  the  JAints, 

I.  r  I  ^Hofc  whom  God  hath  accepted  in  the  be!o- 
X  ved.  effectually  called  and  Ian  elided  by  his 
fpirit,  and  given  the  precious  faith  of  his  elect  un- 
to, can  neither  totally  nor  finally  fall  from  the  (late 
of  grace.  (  *)  but  (ball  certainly  pcrfevcrc  therein 
to  thr  .-rd>  and  be  eternally  faved,  feeing  the  gifts 
and  call  ngs  of  God  are  without  repentance,  (whence 
he  fti  1  begcis  and  nourilhcth  in  them  faith,  repel* 
ranee.  lo\C>  j^y»  hope,  and  all  the  graces  t 
fpirit  into  immortality)  and  though  many  ftorms 
and  Mo  ds  arifc  and  beat  againil  them,  yet  they 
(ha)l  never  be  able  to  take  them  off  that  foundation 
and  rock  which  by  faith  they  are  fattened  upon:  not- 
wichfbnJing,  through  unbelief  and  the  temptations 
of  Sarin,  thcfcntiblc  tight  of  the  light  and  love  o£ 
Go  i,  may  for  a  time  be  clouded,  and  obfeured  from 
(b)  them,  yctieisftill  the  fame  (  c  )  and  they  lhall 
be  uic  to  be  kept  bv  rhe  power  or  Cod  unto  falva* 
tion,  where  thev  (ball  enjoy  thcit  purchafed  poffef- 
lion,  they  being  engraven  upon  the  palm  of  his 
hand;,  und  their  names  having  b*en  written  in  the 
book  af  life  irom  all  eternity. 
Dj; 2.  Thit 

a   "fohn  io.  28    29   T'biL  1.  6.  2  Tim.  219,  : 
2>  19.  b  Pj*t»>  89.  J 1. 3  x.  iG?r.  ir,22.  cMii.  ]••  6. 


4<>  Of  perfeveranc*  tf  the  f flints, 

2.  This  perfeverance  of  tue  faints,  depends  not 
upon  their  own  free  will,  but  upon  the  iaimutabi- 
Jity  of  the  decree  of  (^)  election,  flowing  from 
the  free  and  unchangablc  love  of  God  the  father, 
upon  the  efficacy  of  the  merit  and  intercdHon  of 
Jcfus  Chrift  ( e )  and  union  wioh  him,  the  (/)  oath 
of  God,  the  abiding  of  his  fpirit>  and  the  (j) 
feed  of  God  within  them,  and  the  nature  of  the  (f) 
covenant  of  grace*  {xt>m  all  which  ariferU  alto  the 
certainty  and  infallibility  thereof. 

j„  And  though  they  may,  through  the  remptati- 
cn  of  Satan,  and  of  the  world,  the  prtvalency  cf 
co  txtiption  remaining  in  them,  and  the  neglcd  of 
means  of  their  prefervation,  fj!,  into  grievous  (  i) 
fins  >  and  fot  a  time  continue  therein  >  whereby  they 
incvr  (/£)  Cod's  difpleafurc,  and  grieve  his  hoiy 
ipi  rit,  come  to  have  their  graces  and  (/>  comforts 
im  paired,  have  their  hearts  hardened,  andthefceqn* 
fcic  nces  wounded,  (*«)  hurt,  and  fcandalize  ethers, 
and  bring  temporal  judgments  (n)  upon  them  fe  Ives, 
yet  they  (hall  renew  rheir  (e)  repentance,  and  be 
pre  ferved,  through  faith  in  Chrift  Jcfus,  to  rhe  ?nd. 
^^^ CHAP. 

d  R^m  3^3.  Cb*p.  o,  ii,  i<.  e  Rom,  c.  9, 
10.  John  14.  ic.  f  Heb.  6.  17,  18.  g  1  Join  $.  9. 
h  Jer,  $t.  40.  i  Matt,  26.70,  75.  74.  k  lfa,  C 4.. 
^9.  £/&.'4  ;c.  1  Pfa>  ^i,  10.  j  2-  m  />/*♦  $  z.  j,  4. 
fc  2S*/??   52.24    o  Lu':$2%.\th  ?wd  *.6u  G2* 


(     4i     ) 

c  H  A  p.    xviir. 

0/  :  ice  of  gr.ict  and  f*lu*tion. 

!•      A   Lthoogh     Temporary  believers,     and    c: 

Ji\.   vinre^'-nerare   men,    may     vainly    deceive 

themfclvcs  with   fal(e  hopes,  and  carnal   prefnrrpti- 

or"    bti.ng    in   tl  c  Favour  of  Cod,  and  Ilate  of 

ich  Lope  of  theirs,  (hall    f  cxifh ; 

jet    fiich   as    truly  believe   in   the  Lord    Jefus,    and 

love  bias  h  (incerity,    endeavcurinp  ro   walk  in  all 

d   confeience    before  him,  may  in   tl  is   Jife  be 

\in\y  afliircd,  (A)   that  they    are  in  tl  c  (late   of 

v  rejoice  in  the  hope  of  the  g!°ry  of 

God,  which  hope  (hall  never  make  them  (O  aflu- 

2.  This  crrainrv  is  rori  bare  conjectural  and  pro- 
bable per fuahV  ed  upon  (d)  a  fallible  hope, 
bur  an  in:  d  on  tl  e 
ghteoufnefs  of  CI  till  (c  )  trvealed  ia 
ihegofpel;  and  alfc  upon  tl  c  inward  (Yj  evidence 
of  thole  graces  of  tbt  (;  irfr  unto  i*H  Set 
are  made,  and  on  the  -  Ire  (£)  fpirjl 
of  adoption,  witneffirg  vtitu  our  fpiits,  tbar  we 
D   $ arc 

4  8   fh  T4.   M  '*   7-   2a*  *f,  k  I  ^°^n  2i 
j.    r'\  ?.  14. 18,  ■  9.11,24.   Ch.$Pii%  c    Rem    (* 

2,  f.    d    Hf£.  6.   ii,  19.   e    Heb.6.  17,  18.    £    a  P*** 

I.  4)  5>  io>  u>  g  R^»i  1   15-  1$. 


4*  Of  ajjurancc  cf  grace  and  f*lv*tien. 

are  the  children  of  God;     and,  as  a  Truic  thereof, 
keeping  the  heart  both  (£)  humble  andhoJy. 

3,  This  infallible   aiThrance    doth  not  fo  belong 
to  the  elTence  of  faith,  bur  that  aortic  believer  may 
wait  long;   and   conflict  with  mam  difficulties,  be 
fore  he  be  (1)  partaker  of  it;  yet  being  enabl 
thefpirit,  to  know  the  things  which  are  freely  given 
him  of  God,    he  may,   without  extraordinary  reve- 
lation, in  the   right  ufe  of  means  (  k  )  attain  1 
unto  j  ard  therefore  it  is  the  dcty  of  every  one,    t» 
give  all  diligence  to  make  their  calling  ard  election 
fure,     that  thereby    i  is  hem  may   be    enlarged    10 
peace  and  joy  in  the  holy  fpiric,  in  love  a~d  thank- 
fulnels  to  God-  an'd  in  ftrengrh  and  cheaifulnefs   in 
the  cjjries   of  obedience,    the  proper   (/}  frurs  of 
this  aiTurince;  fo  far  is    it  (#?)  from  inclining  men 
toleofnefs. 

4.  True  believers  may  have  the  alTurancc  of 
their  falvation  divers  ways  fhaken,  diminimed, 
and  intermitted;  as  ( n  )  by  negligence  in  pre(er- 
vin*  ofit,  bv  (0  )  falling  into  foxe  fpecial  fin, 
which  woandeth  the  conscience,  and  grievcrh  the 
fpiri-;  by  fomefudden,  or   {£    verier: 

- j by 

h  1  John  3.  1,2,3.  i  Ifa.  co.  10.  Pfxlm  S3  & 
Tfalmyj  I  —  n.  k  1  John 4.  ij.  Heb.  6fll,  12. 
1  Rom.$.  1,1,  e.  Ch.  i±.  17,  Pfalm  1 19,  32.  in  Fsm. 
6.  fi  2.  Ti\  2;  11,  12?  14.  n  Cant.  5.  1,  j,  6.  o 
Tj'alm  51.  8,  1  a,  14.  p  P/*.  116.  ix.  P,*.  77.  7.  8, 
j/tf/w  3  I.  22. 


Of  the  Ian  t{<  4  3 

.  c,   and  fufi 

ivc  no  lij  arc  rhejr  nc- 

-    tC  of  the  (r)     feed   Ct    CoJ.     : 

(  htift,  and  the  brethfti 

-  Iicnrr,   a   .  "  >    out  of 

.isailuiancc 
in  due  time  be  (r  ) 

e  (  i  )  preferred  from  inter 
>air. 


CHAP. 

Of  the  Un>  cf  Go.l. 

I,   (~^0  D   gave  to  Ad*m  a  law  ofunivcrfal  obc- 
>J"  dience,  ten   in    id's    heart,  and  a 

parrienlat  pfectpl  of  nor  eating  the  frtrff  oftkt   tree 
.  of  good  and  cviJ ;   by  which  he  bound 
1  iti,  and  p<  i  tortal,  enriic,   c 

Irtd  p<  rpetua!  (£)  obedience;  promiled  life  upon 
the  tuiiiling,  and  (c)  threatned  death  upon  the 
breach  of  it,  and  indued  him  wi:ii  power  and  abili- 
ty to  keep  k. 

2.    Ti.c  lame   tar/  that   was  flrft   wiirten   in  the 
D_4 heart 

c]  Tf*'m  ;o.  7.  r  j  Join}.  9.  s  Luke  22.  }2.  t 
¥f*lm  42.  j,  1 1.  u  £*">.  $•  2  ^  27 --  }i.  1i  Ct**  I, 
27.  Ecclt,y.29*  b  ***».!©,  $,  c  G*/.    j,  Jc,,t2» 


44 


Cf  the  l%w  of  God. 


heart  of  man  (/)  continued  to  be  a  petfcot  rule  ef 

righteouihefs  after   the  fail,    and     fl 

Cod  upon  mount  ?£***,  m  (* )  ten  command 

and  written  in  two  tables,  the  four  firft  con:, 

our  duty  towards  God,  and  the  other  lix  o*r  dory 

to  matii 

3.  Bciides  this  law,  com n. only  called  moral, 
Cod  was  pleafed  to  give  to  the  peoj  <l  ce- 
remonial laws,  containing  fereral  tj p*ca!  ordinances, 
pa:tly  oi  wormip,  (/;  prefigyrir  ?  Chnft,  bitgr* 
ccs,  actions,  fuiFertngs,  and  benefits*  an!  purrly 
holding  forth  dfrers  inft  radians  (j)  of  moral-du- 
ties, ail  which  ceremonial  laws  being  appointed 
•nlj  to  the  tim^  of  reformation,  are,  by  T 

the  true  median,  and  onlv  lawgiver.  w'~  1  was  rurni- 
(bed  with  power  from  the  father  for  that  end,  (h) 
abrogated  and  taken  away. 

4.  To  them  alfo  he  gave  funiry  judicial  lavrs, 
which  expired  together  wirli  the  (tare  of  that 

p!e,    not  obliging  any   nj>w  bv 

tutionj  their  genera!  ( i)  equity  only  being  oi 

ral  ufe. 

y.  The  moral  law  doth  for  ever  bird  1&\  (  k)  as 
well  juflified  perlons  as  others,  to  the  obrdic  :c 
thereof,  an*d  that  not  only  in  regard  o(  the  matter 
contained  in  it,  butalio  itrrefpccl  of  the  (/)  aticho- 
rity_ 


d   Rom.  2,  14,  ic.  e   Dent   ro.  4.     f    Heh    10   T. 
Col.2.  17.   g    1  Or.  c.  7.   h  O/  1.14  :6    *  7 
2,14,  16.  i    1  Or.  9   i,S  :o.    kfam  Jl&jplC* 


Of  tie  liw  of  God.  4  c 

tor»  who  give  its  fa 
Ckrif  in  the  gofpclany  way  diiioive,    (r»)  but  much 
ftrengchen  tins  cb'jg-iri^n. 

6.   Although  true  bditvers  re  not  under  the  law. 

as  a  covenant  of  works*  (»)  cobc  therecs  juftificd 

or   condemned,   ?ct    ii  i<  of  p.ear  nfc  ID   them,    as 

t,  as  a  rolt  of  life,  in  for* 

tl  tin    '  l   tl  c   will  of  Co  J,    and 

rcdh  and  bir^s  I  ilk  Accordingly;  (0) 

difc«vcria  .  icii  nat  ires, 

and  lives,  foas  examining  rhemfclvci  the 

the)  may  come  ro   further  conviction  of  bum 

en  for,     and    barred    again  ft  fin  •   together  with  a 

clearer  fight  of  the  nzed  they  have  or   Chiift,  and 

lion  of  his  obedience:     it  is  likewile  of 

the  regenerate,  to  icft  aifl  rluir  corrup:ionc, 

ir.  that  ;   andthe  chrratnirgs  of  it  fervc 

tn  thcil  £ns    'cfcrvr,    and  wh?t  af- 

may    ex  peel:  for  them,  al- 

jh  freed  from  the   curie  and  un allayed  iigour 

thereof.     The  prom  if es  of  it   likewise  flicw    them 

ion  of  obedience,    and  what  bh  flings 

t€t   ?ipon    the   performance   thereof, 

I  as  due  to   them  b.     the  law    as  a   cotc- 

fo  ?r    rain's  doing  co<lc)    and  rc- 

rh  iD 

the  one,  a-  1    cvi- 

D  ;  dmce 

'.14. 

*.  8-    I»    C   4^10.4.    o    iv0/7J.  3.2  5, 


46  Of  the  gofpeh  and  cf  the 

dcncc  of  his  being  (/>)  under  the  lav?,  and   not  un- 
der grace. 

7.  Neither  are  the  fotemenrioned  ufes  of  tic 
law  (^)cc*ntrary  to  the  grace  of  the  gHpel,  but  do 
fweetly  comply  with  ir,  the  fpirir of  Chtift  fubduing 
(r)  and  inabbng  the  will  of  man  to  do  that  freely 
and  clicarfttllv,  which  the  will  of  God.  revealed  in 
the  law,  rccjuireth  to  be  done. 


C  H  A  P.     XX. 

Of  th  gofpel>  and  of  the  extent  $f  the  grace  thereof* 

l«  '  I  *H  E  covenant  of  works  being  broken  by 
JL  fin,  and  made  unprofitable  unto  life,  God 
was  pleafed  to  give  forth  the  promifc  cf  Cbrift, 
(a)  the  feed  of  the  woman,  as  the  means  of  calling 
the  eledt.  and  begetting  in  them  fairh  and  repen- 
tance ;  in  this  promife,  the  (£)  gofpel,  as  to  the 
iubftancc  ofit,  was  revealed,,  and  therein  effe&ual, 
for  the  converfion  and  faltatfon  of  finncrs. 

This  promife  of  Ch*ifi  and  falvarion  by  him,  is 
revealed  only  by  (^)  the  word  of  God;  ntichei  do 
th<e  works  of   creation,    or   providence,  with    the 

light 

f>  Rom.  6  12,13,  74.  1  fei%  3.  %.  -1$.  cj  Gc-.\ 
?.  21.  t  Ezet.  J7-2I.  a  G«»*J.  IU  b  Rcv<ll.%. 
C  Ro;n,  1, 17. 


extent  ff  the  gr*ce   thereof.  47 

^f  nature,    (<0  make  dil  Chrift,    or 

1  e  bj  Mm,  lo  much  as  in    a  general,  or   ol>- 
Icls,  that  men,  deftnure  of  the  reve- 
the  promifc,  orgofjxl,  (e)  (hould 
be  enabled  thereby,  to  attain  faving  faith,  ot  repen- 
tance. 

j.   The    revelation    of  rke  £ofpel    unto    finncrs, 
made  in    divers   times,  and   by    fundry  parts,    with 
viicion  oi  ptcmiiles,    and  precepts,   for  the  o- 
lcc  required   therein,  as  to    rhe  nations,    and 
is,  to  whom  it  is    earned,    is    meerly   of  the 
(/)  foveteign  v% i !]  and  good  pleafure  or  God,  not 
annexed  by   virtue   of  am  promifc,     to   the 
due  improvement  of  men's  natural  abilities,  by  vir- 
comrr.on  light  received   without  it;    which 
HOIK  ever  did(jj)  make,     or  C3n  (o  do  :  andthcie- 
foic  in  al!  ages  the  preaching  of  the    gcfpel    hath 
granted   utito  pcrlbns  and  nations,  as  to    ihc 
extent,  of  fticightning  ©f  it,  in  great  variety,     ac- 
cording to  the  counfel  of  the  will  of  God. 

4.  Although  the  gofpcl  be  the  only  outward 
of  revealing  Chrift:,  and  faving  g;ace,  and 
is  as  Inch,  aboundantly  fulTicienr  thereunto  ;  yet  that 
men,  who  are  dead  in  trc!p.ifies,  ma\  be  bom  again, 
quickred  or  regenerated,  there  is  moreover  nccellary, 
an  effectual  infuperablc  (h)  work  of  rhe  holy 
Spirit, 

d    P\om.  10.  14.  h'»  17.   ?rov>  29.   18.   #i«  2v  7. 
with  Cb  60.2.  ]     f  rf*lm  147,  10.     Aclj  16 
Rem.  I.  !%>&c,  h  ?J Aim  lip.  J.    1  Cor.  3.  14.  Efh. 
I.I9»  2Q# 


43     Ofckrifitt*  liberty,  tndtiforty  rf  confe'tenee. 

Spirit,    upon  the  whole  foul,  for  the  producing  in 
them  a  new  f\  ;:  without  which  no   other 

me*ns  will   c#ed  (/')  their  conversion  unto  God. 


CHAP      XXI. 
Of  thrift i a,n  liberty  >     and  liberty  of  confeience, 

*-   rI^HE  liberty  which  Chrifi  hath  purchafed  for 
•*-     believers  under  the  gofpel,  confifts  in  their 
freedom   fiom  the    guilt  of  fin,     the    condemning 
wrath  of  G  -  :^our  and  (*)  helaw, 

and  in  theit   being  delivered  from  this  prefent  evil 
{b)   world,   bondage  to  CO    '  '    dominion 

(a)oi<]n}  from  'rhc  (  e)  evil  c  f  afflictions,  the 
fear,  and  (ting  (/)  of  death,  the  vi&oiyof  the 
and  (g)  everlallirtg  damnation;  as  alfo  in  their 
(/?)  tree  accefs  to  God,  and  theit  fielding  obedi- 
ence unto  him,  not  our  of  aflfcvifli  fear,  (/)  buta 
;  like  love,  and  willing  mind, 
Al!  which   were  common  aHfoto  under 

the  law  O  )    for  the  ftibftance  of  them ;    but 
thentvY  tefhment,    rhc-  liberty  of   c  is  fur- 

ther enlarged  in  their  freedom  fro  i  of  the 

ceremonial   law,     to  which    the  jewfi  church   was 

fuh  jeered 

i  %£»&»•&  2^.4.4  6.  *Q*k  I  H  hGal. 
I#  4.  c  Acts  zCii%M  d  torn*  8.  V  c  JM».  8-  *?« 
f  iC^r,  I5.S4.S5  jM*  S  *»»/•'.  10.  hSM. 
8,15.  e  £^i?7$rt 3^**4- '&  k  G***Ji9>*4' 


49 

to  tat 

in   fulhr  communications   of 
belicvcis  under 
v-  of. 

.  cute,  an  I 
eft  it  hee    from  die   doctrines  and  comnund- 
rnems  of  men  (»)  which  ire  ii  ng   contrary 

to  his  \*ord,   01  not  c  in   ir.    S  > 

lieve  ! 

ce,   O)  is  to  betray  true  liberty  ofcon- 

fciencv;  ind  Mi'h. 

bedience,    is  to  deftroy  li- 

;.  'i  i  upon  pretence 

t ,      a-s 
prevent    the  u 
■. 
fo  thev  who  .    (  r)  the  end 

cred   one  of  the 

e       'he     I'Mil 

-,   in   holii                                  nefs  before 
eur  livtf. 
B CHAP. 

.   r.  jg    ;o.     ;;rv  ro   re    :n    21.   m 
14  4    n 
7    2]     Ail'/,  ic,  9.   1  to  22     :].  pi  Con 

-.  6.  1,  2.   1   GW.  5.13, 
:.  i3»  *»• 


C     5 


o     ) 


C  H  A  P.    XXI 

Of  religions  Wdrfhlp,  and  the  S*W>*th  Jay. 

M*  '  I  ^  H  £  light  of  nature  fl;ews  that  there  is 
JL  a  God,  who  hath  lordfhipand  fovcrcignty 
over  ail;  is  ]uft,%good,  and  doth  good  unto  alii 
and  is  therefore  co  be  feared,  ioved,  praifed,  called 
upon,  tiiifted  in,  and  farved,  with  ail  the  heart, 
and  all  the  foul  (#)  and  with  all  tr.e  might.  Bin 
the  acceptable  way  of  woiihiping  the  true  God,  is 
($J|nftitutcd  by  hii^felf,  and  fo  limited  bv  his 
cwn  revealed  wi.l,  that  he  uaav  not  be  woiiiipcd 
according  to  the  imaginations  and  deviecs  of  jr;en> 
or  thcfuggelhons  or  Saran,  uadsxany  viable  repie- 
fentarions,  or  (r)  any  other  v^ay,  not  prefciibed  in 
the  he! j-  fcriptiires, 

Retire  u  worfiiip  is  to  be  ohznivGod  the  father) 
fin  and  holy  jp hit ,  and  ro  him  ( *0  alone,  nor  to 
angels,  Jahits,  or  an;--  other  (£)  tr%Aiw**\  and  (inee 
the  falh  not  without  a  (/)  mediator*  nor  in  the 
fmdi&so*  or  any  other  but  (g)  Chiiu  alone. 

5.  praver,  with  rhanktutnets,  being  one  fpecial 
pare  ofnamral  WctOilp*  is  by  God  required  ot(h) 
____ all 

a  y*r.  10.  7^  Mark  j%.  5  $th  Dent,  n,  $  1,  c  Ex*  it 
S.O'4%-  <u  4Ai*U.4.  q  10,  Jehnb.  2$.  Matt.  23. 
xp.  e  Rem.  1.  2$.   Col  2.   rg.  Rtv,   19.10.  f 
41,6,  g  1  Tim.  2.  i+kJ>f*fo>9$.  1,7.   tffdm 69   2. 


Of  reltg:<*Ms  Wttjh  K  *v  *th  D*y,      $1 

ar  I,  i:  is  to  fee 

rhf  (#)  m  >    b)  the  help  (*  ) 

i  under- 
ftar  ,  faith,  love, 

an.;  ;  knoitn 

be  made  for  things  lawful,  and  inc 

«]]  :  ,   [a     /  (hall  livchcrc- 

nrr  for  thofe  of  w'.oin 

ic  m  hr.ncd  (^  )  thefin 

uru« 

5,  Tl.c  (^)  rsadftiffGf  the  failures,  preaching* 

',  teaching  ard  aJ^ 
other  in p&lmsj  hymns,    and  {\A» 
<n  our  hearts  to  (s } 
tbcLoi    ;  as  alfo ike  acininjftracion  (r)ot 

cr,    are  all  parti  of  religious 
*c.  1  pciformcd  in  obedience  t© 

him,   nil  ending,  fai:h,  reverence,  and  gcd* 

ly  fear;  moreover,    (olcmn  humiliation,    (*)  wita 
fallings,    and  thanklgivir.g,    upon  (7 )    fpecial  oc- 
^ai..  bl  to  be  uled  in  an  holy    and   rcHgioul 

manr 

6.  Neither  pray  en   norany  other  partof  religions 

t.   2 w<  • 

4-  H>  14    k  £<?;».  8.  zC.  1   zjshn  e,  14* 
r.  14.16,17.   n  1  7/;;;  2,  1 .  1,   25^.7/7.7.29. 

O    2$*'^.  12.   Ht  22    2).    p    I  y^bi  v   16,    (|     I    1 
4.  1  J.   1    1  4.2.    £"  *8-  /8'  s   Cr/.  }.  i(5. 

<j.  r;.     t  //*/.  23. 19  20.    1 
4.  f6,  j :<ii2>  12.  y   15,  1.  e&v.  P 


5 1        Of  r t lig lo us  ;; -o rjh if ,  a n rf  tie  f*lb*iY  ■. \ 

worfliip,  is  new,  under  the  gofpel,  tied  unto:  <u 
made  rmore  acceptable  by  any  place  in  which  ir  is 
(&  )  performed,  or  towards  which  it  is  directed  i  but 
God  is. to  be  worfhiped  evcrv  where  in 
and  in  truth;  as  in  (  a*)  private  for,  ilies  (£)  dai- 
ly, and  fr)  in  fecret  ea«honc  by  himfelf,  (o  more 
folcmnly  ia  the  public  alTtmblics,  which  are  not 
carelefly,  n^r  wilfullv,  to  be  (^)  neglected  or  for  Ta- 
ken, when  God  by  his  word  or  providence  a 
thereunto, 

7,  As  it  is  of  the  law  of  nature,  that,  in  general, 
2  proportion  of  time,  by  Gcd's  appointment  be  ice 
apart  ror  the  woifnip  of  God,    fo    by   his  wc: 

a  ptrTirive,  moral,  and  perpetual  commandment, 
ig  all  men,  in  all  ages^  he  bath  particularly 
appointed  oneway  in  (even  for  a  (e)  fabbath  to  be 
kept  hoi)  unto  him,  which  from  the  beginning  of 
the  world,  to  the  r^furreclicn  <*f  Chrift,  was  the 
laft  cay  of  the  weekj  and  from  chc  refurrc<ftion  of< 
Chriff,  was  changed  into  the  full  day  of  the  week, 
(/)  which  is  called  the  Lords  davj  and  is  to  be 
c^nrinaH  to  the  end  of  the  world,   as  the  chii'iria^ 

.  ns     the   obdrvation   of    the   iaf-:    c. 
peek  being  Voolifhed* 

8.  The  S~bba:h  is  then  kept  holy  unto  the  Lord, 
f^hen  men,     afrer '  a  due  prepaiing  of    their  hearrs, 

and 

z  John  4.  2  1.  MaI.  i.  u.  i  Tim,  j#  s.  a  A<3s  ro. 
2.  b  My.t.  6.  ii.   ?jaL  $e#  17,  c  Mat  6.  6,   d 
so.  2c,  Acts  2.  4:.   e  £.vw%f.  20.  St   f  iCor.  16.  1,2. 
Ails 2,0  ;t  &*V,  '.10. 


of  f f*lms,  &c. 


U 


and  o*  i  cir  cor.mon    affairs  aforcli and,    rio 

not  on  c  an  hoi)  Q)  reft  all  the  day,  from 

.is  ard  thoughts,     about  their 
woi'ti  ment  and  rccr- 

taken  up  t  ;  c  puMic  and  piivatc 

excr  cites    of  lus  worfhip  ar.d  in   tic  duties  fij    of 
ncccflicy  and  mercy. 


C   H   A  V      XXIII. 
Of  (inging+f '  pfalms,  Sec, 

,V\7yi;  believe  that (*)  fining  tie  pratfes of  Go4 

\y      is  a  l-.oly    ordinance  of  Ciiiifc,    and  nor    a 
1  uiigicn,    or  a  rnoraj  . 

.nder  divine  infant  ion, 
'of  Chrifi.   to 
[trial  fengs;  and  that  the 
ivhoW  ^ETiblics   (aswv' 

he  to  (/)  :     ;         f\   |  rajfa 

e  received,    Mc:c- 

r,     i:    was  rtprefentative 

hrlft  with  J  is  d 
I  celebrated  the  fa*' 
ppcr;  ~s  a  comma:. c 
;i*e  token  of  r<  - 
. JEj CHAP, 

.    qS.  i ;  :.  i  e, ,  13-   h  Mat.  1 ; 

1 5  '.-•/.  ;♦  16,  b   ft 

jo,  #**, 


(     H    ) 

CHAP.      XXIV. 

Of  lawful  oaths  and  vows. 

r.  A     Lawful  oath  is  a  part  of  religious  worfhip, 
<*-  ^   (a)   wherein  the  peifon  fv*tarin£  in  ti 
xighteoufnefs,  and  judgment,  f  Jemmy  calieth  G.-i 
to  witnefs  what  he  fweareth;  (£^and  to  judge  him. 
according;  to  the  truth  or  faUeoefs  thereof. 

i.  The  name  of  God  only  is  that  b)  which  men* 
ought  to  fwcaij  an^  therein  iris  to  be  u(ed  with  a! 
holy  fear  and  revctenaei  therefore  to  fwear  vainly 
or  raftily  by  that  glorious  and  dreadful  name,  or 
to  fweai  at  all  b\  any  other  thing,  is  iinf;J  scni  to 
be  (r)  abhorred  j  jet  as  in  matter  of  weight  and 
moment*  for  confirmation  of  truth,  Qd)  and  end- 
ing all  ftrife,  an  oath  is  warranted  by  the  word  of 
Godi  fo  a  lawful  o ail* being  iinpofed,  (e)  by  law- 
ful authority*  In  facK  nutters*  ought  to 

£.  Whi •foev.er  taketh  an  oath,  warranted  by  the 
wer4  of  God,  eughr  duly  to  confide?  the  weighti- 
Befs  of  fo  foleii.n  an  acl.  ^nd  therein  to  avouch 
nothing  but  what  he  knoweth  ro  be  the  truth;  for 
that  by  rafla,  falfe,  an*!  vain  oaths,  the  ■  /)  Lord  is 
provoked,  ar/d   cr  them  this  land  mourns* 

4    An 

a  Ixod.  10,7.  DiHt  10,  20.  Jtr.  4.  2.  b  2  QLrot 
6.12  2}.  c  lUf.  ;.  24*  37.  /**&«  $.12.  d  neb* 
6.  16.    2  C^,  i.  2}.   c  AV/\  i|«.  25*   f  L*w  i?, 


Of  :  5  | 

4.    An  oath  is  ro  be   taken  in  t-Ve    pi 

I  ivoftisj  without  c  ]  :i  vucaiiun, 
i. 
9.  A   .(  .v,   n\  U  b  ii  noi    K>  Be  n  1  crea- 

ture.  I  I  alone,   (  f 

'..uc  and  :  s  :    but 

cal    vows,    (  r)  ctial  fing'c 

li 

far  fn       being  degrees 

ire  fupetftitious,  (/)  and  fintul  (hares,  in 
•rnic  .  ;;c  hiiiilwlf. 


c  a  A  p.    :• 

Of  the  ci*tl  mmpfirMitm 

U  /^OD,  t-e  fupicire  !oid,  aro   kii>p  #f  all  the 
VJ   world,  hath  ordained  vivil  (*  )  maglftiatcs 

to  b:  under  him,  over  the  peoj  !e,  for  lis  cwn  g!crv, 
good  ;  an«J  to  ti  is  end  hath  ar:ned  cluirt 
wi  h  tbi  po*ir  ct  the    Lword,    for   defence  and    c»* 
coin,  uf  tfcerh   thjft  do   goed,    and  for    the 

punifniv.ent  vi  c  vi\  dotrs< 

,♦.    It  is  lawful  tot  chtiftiansco  accept  and  execute 

office  of  a  v,  v>hcn  called  rh  ere  unto  j  in 

the1  :nt  whereof,  as    rhej  orj;ht  cfpecialljr 

to 

g  Pfal  2^.4.  h  JV^':6.  11.  GcM  R#  ftO?  29« 
22.  i  1  C>.  ;.  ;  9,  k  Jjt.  4.  rgf  1  M.r,  19  u* 
a  *#jar,  ij.  1,  2.  3,  4. 


• 


ro  maintain  (")  juflficcj  and  peace,  according  to 
the  wholcfome  laws  of  ea.h  kingdom,  and  con 

fo  for  that  end  they  may   lawfully  no/v  un- 
ci ji  the  new    tefhment  (c)  wage  war  upon  juft  and 
ary  occafions. 
;.    Civil  ma? ift rates    being    fet    Up  bv    God,  for 
:J,    fcbjeclion  in   ail  lawful  things 
co  ai  man  Jed  by  them,  ought  to  boieloed  by  u<«  in 
the    Lord,  not  only    tor  wrath  (d  r  con- 

Lciencc  fake  ;  and  we  ought  to  make  Amplications 
and  prayers  for  kings,  and  a;l  that  are  in  authority 
(t)  that  tinder  them  we  maj|  live  a  quiet  and  peace- 
able life,  in  all   gcdlinefs  and  henefty; 


C  H   A  P.     XXVI. 

Of   marriage, 

i#    X /f*Aniacje  is  fo  be  betweenor  :•  one 

X\i    v>ow(*n\  (*)  neither  is  it  law( 
man  ro  have  rfloie  than  one  wife*  nor  for  any  wo- 
man to  have  more  than   or.«    hup  and  at  the 
tirae. 

2.  Marn??e  wa:  01  I  help  (  b) 

of X^ Wand  n;//£,  (*;fprtfce  lAttetfc  of  mankind 


wicn 


b  i  Sfm\;il.  ;.   f/*/.  82.  3:  4-  c  ***«  5-  r4-  d 
*.   i;.^6>7.      iff/.  2.   I?,   e    i   7i.-».  2,  i>*. 

a   G*».2.24.   jfat.1.11,   Mfit.  10.5    6.    bG*».Z, 

3g,  c  Ge».  1,  28. 


irch.  1 7 

venting  of 

)•   II  *  rrv, 

ni'cnc; 

yet  it  ■  ry    in 

the    L*rd,*  2nd..  *4  profefsthe  rruere. 

:Id  not   matry   wirl.  *  )  or  iJo- 

>C  unequally 

with    fuch  ;s    aic  wicked   in 

their  life,   or  a 

4.    Marriage  ought  not   ro  be  within  the  degrees 

rjfanguinity  (  h  )  or  .  .ibid  Jen  in  the 

word  i     nor  can   fuch    inccfluous    rr.*rria?e  ever  be 

/an   or      confent   of 
parries,  (/)  Co  as  tb<  ,c  together 

is   man    anj    m 


C  H   A  P.     XXVII. 
0/ 

*.   '  J  ^  H 

JL      [  ■*  ti.e 

of    t]  .  E    oi 

tl  at 

d   \.C*f;?*  2    %  e   >    ';     15.   4.    1  Tim\4<  J?*f* 
.   ,  ? ,  :  ;    26,  27.   h    - 
1.   a  #«&  3  2.  1  !«  l£. 


si 


Of  the  church. 


that  have  been,  arc,  Of  (hall  be  gathered  into  one,  tm- 
«cr  Chrift>  the  head  thereof;  and  is  the  fpoufc,  the 
body,  the  fulnefs  ot  him  that  fillctli  all  in  all. 

2.  AH  pferibns,  throughout  the  world,  profemng 
the  faith c.f  the  gofpe.!,  andobediencc  unto  God  by 
Chriit,  according  unto  it,  not  de&ro)  irg  thci*  own 
proldfion  by  any  errors  everting  the  foundation,  or 
Uiihoiinefs  of  conversion,  (£)are,  and  ma\  be 
Called  vt&blc  him:,;  (c)  and  r>f  (uch  ought  all  par* 
ticular  congregations  to  be  conftitffrcd, 

3,  The  pureft  churches  under  heaven  are  fubjccl 
(#')  co  mixture,  and  ertor;  and  forne  have  (o  de- 
gc  Lecated  ;s  to  become  (*>  no  churches  of  Chrifti 
|at  fynagogues  of  A«*.*/?;  nevertheiefs  Chrift  always 
harh  had,  and  ever  iu.il]  have  a  (/)  kingdom  in 
this  world,  io»th*  end  thereof  of  iuch  u  believe 
in  bira,  and  make  profeilion  or  his  name, 

4*  The  lord.  Jelu.s  Chrlft  is  the  head  of  the  church, 
in  whom,  by  t\i^  appointment  of  the  Father,  (^) 
all  pow:r  for  tbe  calling,  indication,  order,  or  go- 
vernment of  the  church,  is  invefted  in  a  fupreme  and 
foverdgn  manner,  neither  can  the  Pope  of  Rome 
in  any  fenfe  be  head  the-ieof,  »at  is('#)  that  an* 
tichrift,  that  man  of  hn>  and  ion  of  perdu iony    that 

exs-lreth 

b  I  C-r9  1.2  Atts  11,26.  c  Rem,  i.  7,  Eph.  I, 
2  2  :>  22.   d    I  Cor.  i  5.   Rev,  2%  *nd  chap,  $#   e  Rev. 

13.  2.  2  Thejfc  2. 1 1,  ra,  f  Jtf**.  16  j 8.  ty*/«  72. 

*7.  &  ?f*l    y°2.  18.   ^vtv,   12.  17,  g   C»//.    1.  id. 


hMrth.  59 

oxd  Hull  di 

f .  1  er  whcrenirh-  kc 

otd  Jcfos    ca c  h,  our  < 

i;y    oi    his 
i  -  fjurit,    (f    thofc  tli-r   trc  gircn 
him,  k 

in  all  r  obedience,  which  he  prefer  i- 

bcrh  ro  chcrr  n  thus  caled,  he 

comn:  icrics, 

it  murmi   edification    and 
-^f  that  public  worihip,    wL-ch 
lie  requifcth  cf  si. em  in  the  world. 

6      t  rs  of  rhefc  chinches  arc  (*w)4 

Iv  irurfiftfl . 

-    ' 
u 

cnt    of 
ves  c  >  tie    Lord   and  one 
d,     (* )  in    p!( 
Cubjcfl  cs    or  rn< 

7#  Tv>  each  of •  thcie   chnrebe  d   ac- 

dcclircd  in  lis  ifordj 
given  ali  ;ha:  (  c  )  powtr   a?  J    lUtlioritJ, 
_  any 

&    dap.  12,  ^2*    k  AJ*t.  fg.  20. 

t  A^.i<.ij,  2C  m^w,  rj,   i  Or,  i    2.nAfts 
2.41  o.  r  j.  o   M*/.  ;8* 

17.2?.     iC^,  c»4  5  brfWti],     2  CVr    1.  6, 

7*   8. 


€o  Of  the  church. 

any  way  heedfrtl  for  their  (having  on  rfrat  order  in 
woruhip  and  discipline,  which  he  Lath  in  ft i  tared  for 
tli&m  to  obfcrve,  with  commands  and  rules,  for  the 
due  and  right  exerting  an<J  executing  of  that  pow- 
er. 

8.  A  particular  church  gathered,  and  romplearly 
organized  according  to  the  irmdof  Chrijty  confifts 
of  officers  and  members :   and  the  officers  app 

by  Chrifi  robe  chofen  and  fct  apart  by  the  c 
[  fo  ailed  and  gathered  ]  for  the  peculiar  adminiftra- 
tion  of  ordinances,  and  execution  of  power,  or 
duty,  which  he  intrufts  them  with,  or  calls  them 
to,  to  be  continued  to  the  end  tff  the  world,  are 
(/>)  biftiops,  or  ciders,  and  deacons. 

9.  The  way  appointed  by  Chrifi  for  the  balling 
of  any  peifon.  fitted  and  gifted  iff  the  holy  Spirit* 
unto  the  office  or  bifhop,  cr  elder,  in  a  church,  is, 
that  he  be  cRolen  thereunto  [v.-  the  common  (^) 
|uffrag€  of  the  church  itfelfj  and  (oirmn!v  f.?t  apart 
by  fafting  and  prayer,  with  imp  Tuion  of  hands  of 
the  (r)  e' lerfhip  of  the  church,  if  there  be  an\  be- 
fore configured  therein:  and  of  a  deacon  (*)  that 
he  be  chofen  by  t'  e  like  (ufFrage,  and  fer  apart  by 
prayer,   and  the  like  i 

to.  The  work  ofpdtVrs  being  ccmfhr.tly  to  at- 
tend the  iervice  of  Chnft  in  !  is  cl  in  the 
miftiftry  of  the  word,  and  prayer,  (*)   with  ware h- 

i  n  cr 

„. _____ _. _^^_«_ P.  _ 

p  Aft.  20  1  J.  i+frh  verfe  28.  Phil.  t.  1.  q  Acls 
14.  2  V  Sge-tfo  original  r  1  ?*«*.  4.  14.  $  Act*  6. 
J>  c,  6.   t   -45;  6.  4.  Rcl<  J}.  17. 


/  chnrd).  6t 

\y\»  fvr  click  fouls,  *as  rhcy  rhat    mnft   *;ve  an  ac- 

.  1 1      i:  is    i  n€S    to 

ifter,  n  k  i  re  tkeit)  a 

:    (//)    but  a. Co  to  communicate    to    tUm   of 

all  thcii  £o  g  ru  clicir  abilirv,  io 

:m>  hive  j  con  n  it   o  t  be- 

Jvts(x)  entangled  ju fccalar  affairs  j    and 

I  required  b>   ihc  I  fc 

.Mel's    oi.Jcr  ur   ot   Li  id 
fh'.c  tacs   tiiir  j»:c*.  I 
'    gofpcl, 
I  r.    .  Li  he   HlCU.nbcQi  o"!  r:e  Ivfh  ^ps  or 

nt   ir*  prca< 
K  the  wo |  :a     - 

i  jarlt     confined  to 
bit  tba  kied  by  ti.e 

iot  it,    an  bv  the 

op  rrfoi  m  ir. 
j  2.  As  ill  believm  arej 

icn   and    wberc 
Co  ail  chat  *re  admitted  unpi 
Ufa  I  £  )  andei  fl  e 
tvernmohc  thcrcofj  according  to  t!  e 

I  5.    No  cUurcb-ftK  mints,   itponanj  offence  tal  t.n 

'  b* 

u    t   lim    <j     17,  j  R.    G  n   6    :>•  7.    K    2  ^itfJ.  2.    4. 
y    1  Jim    j     2     z    1  Car    0    6.    i4t  I  r.   J  9, 

fco*  11       1   <>/.  4   iw\  Ji.   u   i  -/«  £  ).  14.  z 
?.6,  14    IS- 


6z  Of  the  churchy 

fey  them,  baving  performed  theft  duty  required  of 
them  towards  theperfba  they  are  offended  at,  ought 
to  difturb  any  church  order,  or  abfent  thcmfclvcs 
from  theaiTeinbu'cs  of  thechurch,  or  administration 
of  any  ordinances,  upon  the  account  of  fuch  offence 
at  any  of  their  fellow-members,  but  to  wait  upon 
Chriih  (^)in  further  proceedings  of  the  church. 

14.  As  each  church,  and  all  the  members  of  it,  are 
bound  to(^)  pray  condnually,  for  the  good  and 
proCperity  of  all  the  churches  of  Cbrift,  in  all 
places,  and  upon  alloccafions  to  further,  [everyone 
within  the  bounds  of  their  places  and  callings,  in  the 
cxercife  of  their  gifts  and  graces]  fo  the  churches 
[when  planted  by  the  providence  of  God,  foasrhcy 
may  enjoy  opportunity  and  advantage  for  it]  ought  to 
hold(*;  communion  amongft  thcmfclvcs,  for  their 
peace,  incieafe  of  love  and  mutual  edification. 

19.  In  cafes  of  difficulties  or  differences,  either 
in  point  of  doctrine  or  adminiftrationi  wherein  ci- 
ther the  churches  in  general  arc  concerned,  or  any 
one  church,  in  their  peace,  unian,  and  edification; 
or  any  member,  or  members  of  any  church  are  in- 
jured, in  ©r  by  any  proceedings  in  cenfures  not  a- 
grceable  to  truth  and  order  :  it  is  according  to  the 
mind  of  Cbrift,  that  many  churches  holding  com- 
munion together,  do  by  their  mtffengers  meet  to 
confider, 

0 

c  Mitt.  lS>  t  ^,  16,17.  E?.b.4.  z>  J.  d£/>/;  6.  18. 
Tfalw,  131,  6.     e    Rom.  i6f    I,  f#  $.    John  8-  9« 


Of tht  communion  of  /amis*  6} 

er,  ( f)  ami  give  ti  e:r  a.jvice  in  or  abnut  that 
matter,  nee.  t©  be  ftponed  to  all  the  choreics 

concerned;  howbeit  theie  mcfkngcis  aflcmbhd, 
are  not  inrrulred  with  any  church-power  propcrlv  io 

,  cv  with  any  jtiriQi flion  oTer  the  el  urcl.es 
tK-rrnfrlves.  to  cxercifc  any  •er.fures  eirhei  over  any 

ics,  otpttfonti  pt(g)  tp-impafe  their  deter- 
mination on  ;hc  churches  ur  officers. 


CHAP.     JXXVI1I. 
C/  /£#  communion  of  fonts. 

I.  ALL  Ciints  that  are   united   to   Jcfus  Chrift 
j[\   their    head,    by   his   fpirit,   and   faith,    al- 
ii the)  are  not  marie  thereby    one  prrfon  wit* 
have  (a  }    fdlowfliip  in  his  graces,  (uforings. 

reforrcclion  and  glory  ;  and  being  united  to 
one  ano:hcr  in  love,  they  b)  have  communion  in 
each  et. cis  gifts  mA  prices,  and  arc  obliged  to  the 
p^ifonmncc  or  fjch  duties,  publie  and  private,  in 
fen  orderly  way,  (c )  as  do  conduce  to  their  mutual 
good,  both  in  the  inward  and  outward  man. 
F_2 2.  Saints 

f  M&i  iv  2  4  *.  *^d  21,1  r',  25.   g  2  Osr%\.  24, 
I  fib*  4    I.   a     I  Join  i.  ;.   John  i .    j 6.      J  ■ 

6    ^     6.     b     Lp:\  4.  \  J,  J  S.       iGr.u.  7, 
I  Cjt.  ;.  ii   ii>  « ;.    c    1   ;/';?.  f.  j  1    14.   ftf 

II.  1  y*;.-w  1,  17. 1 8-  GaL  6.10. 


e 


$4,  Of  faftifm  and  the  Lords  fufttr. 

2.  Sair.ts  bv  proftfCon,  \ire  b^und  to  maintain  an 
holy  ftllowltip  and  cow  it  ruftipn  in  rir«  w  orftttp  of 
God,  and  in  performing  fecli  c\er  fpiritual  fe'nrh 
Ccs,   (</)  as  i?nd  co  rh:ii  irttinij]  edification  i  as&ftb 

in  relieving  each  other  rn  («?)  outward  things,  ac- 
cording to  tbeir  f.veral  abilities,  ard  ruceflitics; 
which  communion,   according   co  x  e  goff* 

especially   to  be  exerciUd 

wherein  tl.ey   ftjinJ,  wherher  in  ( /)  rallies,  01  (  jj) 

churches,   yet  as  God  offer eth  bppontmfty',    r,  to  he 

extended  to  all  the  bpujrhcnld  of  faith;    even  al:  r'.o'e 

who  in  every  place  call  up-n  the  name  of  the  Lord 

Jtfus;  ncveuhelefs  their  communion-  re  with  an©* 

ileras  faints,    doth  net  rake  away,  or  ( 

t-he  circle  or  rajop^rty  which  each  mail  hath  in    his 

goods  and  pciLilions, 


CHAP.     XXIX. 
Oftytifmsni  the  Lords  fo?f>*\ 

I.    T^  Apcifn  and  the  Lord's  (upper,    are©rcinan- 
[j   ces  of  pohcive  and  Sovereign    inftitaaon, 
appointed  by  the  Lcrd  Jefus  tl.t  only  law- 
giver, to  be  continued  in  his  church  (a)  to  the  end 
of  the  A-ot'cl.  2.   Thefe 

d   Ht!>.  10.  24*2$.  Hfifb  Chap.  ;.  It,  l?#  c  Afts 
J  2  Z9  ;o/r   £/\6-4.   £    f  Cor.  1%.  14.  17.   h  A 3s 


Of  itftifa  6  c 

t  Tlrxfc  holvappoinrivcncsare  to  be  adminiftrei 
b*  thofe  only,  vtho  arc  qualified,  and  thercuniocalU 
cd  according  (i)  to  thccoimnifllon  of  Chrift# 


CHAP.      XXX. 

Of   bAftifm, 

I.  VV\ptiftn  is  an  ordinance   of  the  ne*    reft*- 

|3   ment,   <  rdaiscd  by  JcfusChrift,  to  be  unto 

the  partv  baptized,  align  of  his  fellowflv;> 

with  him     in -ms   Jcach    (a )   and   re(urre<ftion;     of 

his  b  al  cd  into   i,im>  of  (£)  [cmifliorr   of 

iln-;  m  I   or  h#s  (r     y„ivii'g  up  himfclf  wnto  God, 

tl.ro  Jcftn  C  hrift,  to  live  afd  walk  in  newntfs  of  life. 

z.  Th^lc   a'Iio  do    afttully  pr<4"{s    (i)   repen- 

Hmcc   towards  Gcd,  faith  in,  and  obedience  to  our 

.<fc   thcoptj   proper    (ubjccU  of  this  OC- 

ilinanct. 

j.  Ti  c  oit*atd  element,   to  be  u(cd  in  this 
nance,  Qt)  .  .\hrtein  tl\c  paxcy  i^:>>  be 

tizid,    in  :.  of  ti.e  .u.lct,  and  of    the    fon, 

and  or  the  hoi     fpirit. 

4»   librae rkon,    or  dipting;  of  the  perfo*  ( f)  [{ 
F   3  water, 

b   Afritt  2>.  19-    '  Cfcr,  4    I.  a   K<^.  6-  ].  4.  $," 

;     27     b   M*rk  1.  4     A0s2b,    16. 

c    fc#*i.  ^'^4.     d     AUrl    16.     6.    >*#..  8-  J7    J8     t 

MAttJtl&i  19,20.   Wff6  ^tf*  o-  }S«   f  M*tth,  J,  l4 

y#W  3.   X}, 


H  Of  lading  *n*f  l.andK 

water,  is  necefTary  to  the  due  adoiiniftrarion  oft!  i$ 
ordinance. 


CHAP.     XXXI. 

Of  laying  on  of  hwdu 

XXJ  E  bc'icvc  that  (a}  laying  on  of  hands*  [  *ith 
*^  prayer]  upon  b abt iz,ed  believers,  asjuch,  is  an 
ordinance  cf  Chrift,  and  ought  to  be  (ubmitt-ed  un- 
to by  all  foch  peifons  that  are  admitted  to  pa-rtake 
cf.  the  Lord's  fuppcr;  and  that  the  tnd  of  this  or- 
dinance is  not  for  the  extraordinary  gifts  of  the 
fpirit,  but  for  (by  a  farther  reception  of  the  holy 
Spiw't  of  promife,  or  for  the  addition  of  tht 
graces  of  the  Spin":,  and  the  influences  thereof  j  to 
confirm,  ftrengh&en,  and  comfort  thtrn  in  Chrift 
Jefus;  it  being  Tatified  and  eftabliflied  by  the  (c  ) 
extraordinary  gifts,  of  the  fpirit  in  the  primi- 
tive times,  to  abide  in  the  church,  as  meering  to- 
gether-on  the  firft  day  of  the  week  was  Acls  ?9.  ** 
that  being  the  day  cf  worftiip,  or  chriftian  Sabbath 
nndrr  the  gofpel;  and  as  preaching  the  word  v\a*> 
A&s,  \  o.  44,  and  as  baptifm  was,  Mat,  3.  16.  and 
prayer  was  ABi^^\\.  and  hnging  pfaJm?,  &c.  was 
Acts  1$.  2t4  26.  fo  thfs  of  laying  on  of  hands  was, 
Acli%    &  ch.   jo.   for  as  the  whole  gofpel  tras  can- 

firm  e A* 

— _     i  .         ■  ■  ■ 

a  IJtb.  $.12    *nd  6.  1,2.   Ac7s  %  .17.   i.g,  and 
JS>>6*  b  Efki.ijj  14,  c  4L&i.**dJ9'6> 


firm  ,    :\fid dryer;  mh*c!fs 

Mnd gi'ts  of  t  l     jras  every 

c  in  Jikc  manocf  coq^irmed  in  particular. 


C   H  A  P.     XXXIT. 
c/  //>*  L*r/j  [*}&*• 

i4  rT^  H  E  fupper  of  the  L«t<f  Jcfo*i  ivasmfl  I 

•JL  ed  bv  hirn.  the  fame  night  wherein  he  was 
betrayed,  to  be  obferved  in  his  churches  unto  the 
end  of  the  world,  for  the  perpetual  remembrance, 
and  ifccwing  forth  the  facrificc  cf  limfelf  in  Lis 
death,  (4)  confirmation  of  the  faith  of  belivtrs 
in  all  the  benefits  thereof,  their  Ipiiitual  nouriftir 
Went,  and  growth  in  him,  their  fr.icher  ingagc- 
rr.ent  in  and  to  all  duties  which  they  ovrc  unto  him  ; 
(b)  and  to  be  a  bond  and  pledge  of  their  com- 
Muaion  with   him,  and  with  each    Other, 

2.  In  this  ordinance  Cr.iifl  is  not  offered  cp  to  his 
father,  nor  any  real  facrifice  made  ^t  all  for  renfif- 
fion  of  in:  of  the  quick  or  dead,  but  on-Iy  a 
memorial  of  that  (O  one  offering  up  of  himfeff, 
by  himfclf,  upon  the  crofs,  once  for  a!!;  and  a 
fpititual  obiarion  of  all  (#/)  poflible  praife  unto 
F_4 God 

A  Heb.  a.  J.4.  a  iOr  11,1^24,1^,  b  I  Or. 
10.  16,  17.  ai.  c  Htb.y,  $5,  ;6,  28-  A  *  C§r.  jjf 
*4,  >/**/.  26,26, 27.    . 


63  Of  th$  Lords  furper. 

God  <or  the  fxnt.     So    t!nt  the  ^*j&  facrifkc   of 
the  ma!i  [is  the*  call  ir]  h  rooft  abominable,  in- 
jurious   to   Cbfrtlt's  own  only  (artifice,     the    alone 
tiation   for  iij  rhe  fins  of  the  ek-J. 

5.  The  Lord  Jcfus  bath  in  this  ordinance,  ap- 
i  lis  nimicers  t)  pray,  and  bleis  the  ele- 
ments ©f  bread  and  wine,  and  thereby  ro  (et  rhem 
apart  Uo  n  a  common  to  an  holy  life,  and  to  take 
and  break  the  orerd ;  to  take  the  cup  (?)  and.  tier 
c  1  1  n  indicating  alio  thcaiftlves]  to  give  botn  to  the 
communicants. 

4  The  denial  of  the  cup  to  the  people,  wor(hip« 
ing  the  eie  went*,  the  lifting  tiicrxi  Dpi  or  carry- 
ing tern  about  for  adorati<  r\  and  refervin^  the  n 
for  any  pretended  religious  ufc,  (/)arcalJ  eonrrary 
to  the  nature  of  this  ordinance,  and  to  the  initia- 
tion 01  Cbrilfc; 

c.  The  outward  elements  in  this  ordinance,  dvfif 
fet  apart  to  the  uies  ordfcined  by  Chriit,  have  focti 
relation  to  him  crucified*  as  that  truly*  although  in 
terms  u'.ed  figuratively,  they  are  (orrctimes  called 
by  the  name  of  the  things  thev  rcpicfent,  to 
the  ( g)  body  and  blood  of  Chi  lit,  atbek  in  (ub- 
ftance  and  nature,  thev  ftill  renoaki  rriur  and  only 
(£)  bread  and  wine,  as  they  were  before. 

(»,  The  doctrine  which"  maintains  a  change  o^  the 
fubftance   of  bread  and  wine,    iato  the  fubrnnce  of 
Chrjft's 

e  I  Cor.  11..  23.  24,  2f»  26.  c^A  f  J#**f.  26. 
26,27,28.  Matt.  15.9.  Exod .20  4.  St  2  l  Ccr9 
Hi  17  .     hi  CW.  imS.'O1  Vcr.  %$. 


Of  the  LsrtTsJtipfer.  6) 

-   calfcJ   rnnfub- 
a  ;  :icft>   cr  b^    an? 
ftli ,   is  re]  (0  a^  ne» 

buc  even  rr 

eth  t  r  (     ;  nature  df  the  <  .  aod  hath  btcn, 

and  is  tl  e  eaufc  of  manifold  fuperftiiions!  )ea,    of 
grofs  : 

-.  Hforth)  receiver*,  outwardly  partaking  i 
m  i  is  ordinance,    do  1 1 . v  n  all 

lira!!/ 
rporaMv,  bat  fpifirualK  recciv< 
on  Cbrift  crucified,  (/)  and  a]  of  Lis 

,  the  body  and  blood  of  Chuftbeing  r>,tn  noc 
corporally  cr  carnally,    but  :.    prtfcflt  1 

fait b  of  believers  in  i  rnients 

thcmfelvcs  are  ro  tl  eir  outward  fenfe*, 

8.  AH  i  pcrfons,  as  they  art 
urfit to  erijfoj  communion  (wj  with  Chriit,  fo  arc 
i  •.  •  d'srable,  and  carrot  wit&- 
oni  great  fin  againft  him,  v\kile  they  remain  (:'cu, 
pirrake  cf  rhefe  ho!v  mxlKrics  (;?)  or  be  ad 
tl.creu  1:  receive  un/.on/  ily, 
arc  Parley  of  the  bodv  and  b!<  |,  car- 
ing and  drinking  judgment  t 
W C   H    A  P. 

i  ^^  }.  2r.   tmh  2\.  (>.  &  tfa\   ;o.   k   i  Cor. 
.  2c.     1     i  Cor.  jo.  1 5.  c£,  t  r.   2$,  ---  26.  jm 
a  Or.  6.  14.  j  c.  n   1  Or.  xi.  29.  Mau,?.  6. 


C     70    ) 


CHAP.  XXXIIL 

Of  the  ft  ate  of  man  nfter  death,   and  of  the  refurret* 
ti(m  of  the  diad* 

*'   i   I   *  *    ^  "bodies  of  men  after  death  return  to 

JL  duft  (a)  and  fee  corruption  j  but  their  fouls*, 
[  which  neither  die  nor  ilcep]  having  an  immoral 
fubiiitvnce,  immediately  (&,  return  to  God  who 
gave  them  :  the  fouls  or  the  righteous  bcin^  than 
madeprrfe&in  holinefs,  are  received  into  paradife, 
where  they  are  with  Chrift,  and  behold  the  face  of 
God  in  light  and  (O  glory,  wakingfor  the  full  re- 
demption oi  their  bodies  5  and  the  fouls  of  the  wick- 
ed are  caft  into  hcH,  where  they  remain  in  torment 
and  utter  darknefs,  referved  to  (d)  the  judgment  of 
the  guatday;  bdides  ihefe  two  peaces,  for  fouls  | 
fcparared  from  their  bodies,  the  fcripcurc  acknow- 
kdgeth  none.  # 

2.  At  the  laft  day,  fuch  of  the  faints  as  are  found 
alive,  (lull  not  deep,  b^t  be  (*)  changed;  and  all 
the  dead  foall  be  raifed  up  with  the  felf-iame  bodies, 
and  (/')  none  oth?r  ;  although  with  different  (#) 
qualities,  which  mall  be  urriced  again  to  their  fouls 
ior   ever,  2    The 

a  Gen,  5,19.  Afts  if.  56.  b  £ccl  12  7.  c  LuKe 
2\\\.  2C^f,i,6,8  ¥hiL  1,2%.  Hjb. 12. i\. 
d  Jud*4+7m  l  Fet.\  9.  Lu'.t  \6.  2}  24  C  l  C~r. 
IS-  ci.ci.  1  Thjf,4  17.  f  Job.  19.  29,  17,  g 
I  Cor.  15.  42  4-3* 


Of  the  Ujt  judgment.  7 1 

i.   11  e  bodic?  of  the  BH  >  by   fhc  p<-wer 

.:(},   be    tailed    to    < 
the  jofti  by  his   fpirir,    unto     honour,  (U)    and  be 

made  conformable  to   lis  own  glcriou*  bod). 


CHAT,     *XXIV# 

0/  the    l*(t  judgment. 

J#   /^  O  D  hath  appointed  a  day.wherein  he  vsili 
yj£  e  wcrld  in  rightccuinefs,  b)  (»iN  Jc- 

fui  Chrifti  to  whom  all  power  and  judg- 
ment is  given  of  the  Father!  in  winch  day  nor  only 
the  (*)  apefhtc  angels  ihail  be  judged,  but  like- 
wise all  perfons  that  have  lived  upon  the  earth, 
&all  appear  before  the  tribunal  of  Chiiff,  (O  to 
|  give  an  account  of  their  thoughts,-  words  and  deeds, 
and  to  receive  according  to  whar  the)  have  done  in 
the  body,   whether  good  or  evil, 

2.  The  end  of  .God's  appointing  this  dt\\y  is, 
for  the  mamfeftation  of  the  glory  of  lis  meres  in 
the  eternal  faJvarion  of  the  ek&j  (</)  and  of  his 
jafticd  in  the  eternal  damnation  of  the  reprobate, 
who  are  wicked  and  dilobedicnt ;  for  then  mall  the 
righteous  go  into  evcilafting  lite,  and  teeeive   that 

fulnefs 

h  AB$  24  ic.  John  c.  28-  29.  Phil.  %.  12.  a 
A&*  17.  J 1.  j  ebn  v  22.  27.  b  1  Cer.  6.  ?  .  J  tide 
6.  c  ;Cfr.  c.io.  Ecci.  1  a.  14. //j//.  12.  j6.  Am* 
1$.  10,12- -M*".  25.  $2,  e^*.  d  tow.  9.  22,2}. 


»« 


0/  /£e  ia/2  judgment. 


fotneff  of  Joy  trtd  glory,  with  rvrrlafing  reward, 
Jjn  rhe  prefcnce  (O  of  the  Lord  :  but  the  wicked 
v  no  Know  not  Cod,  and  obey  not  the  gofpcl  of 
Tcfus  C^rift-  fluli  be  caft  into  eternal  torments,  anj 
(r*)  pumped  *fith  cver!aftingdeftru&ion,  front  the 
pfefitifc  of  &e  Lord,  And  ho:n  the  glory  oi  his 
p  iwcr. 

3.  As  Cfcrift  \voVd  have  us  to  be  certainly  p?r- 
I,  that  t  eae  riidl  be  adi;  ofjudgnent,  both 
(  >)  to  deter  all  men  from  fin,  and, for  the  greater 
/  k  )  confoiftjon  >f  i%e  g  dl  i  ii  their  advafity,  1» 
wll:  he  have  r'1  at  div  unkn  >'vrn  to  men,  that  tncy 
[kike  off  all  ck\r:\\  fecurrr?  and  be  aUavs 
qrarrhtuli  bec^nfe  the)  know  t*>t  a:  whatboar  the 
f  A  Lord  will  come*  and  may  c*er  be  prepared  ro 
fa)  (.:)  come  Lord  Jtj*h  cutne  quic'.lj.      Am-n, 


26  Mir.  9.43  2  Tff  !  ~  8-  9  I  o.  g  2  C*r. <* 
ic  -if.  h  2Thf.i^  (>•  7  i  AtfJrt*}.  35,56.37. 
&***«   i$.3v>6-    *  &'J*  22,  20#    ' 


P«?J| 


(     73     ) 


Short  treatife  of  church-difcipHtoe. 


Concerning  a  true  And  orderly  g'{( el  church. 

BEFORE  chert  can  he  any  orderly  dis- 
cipline among  a  chriftian  aflcmb'v,  they 
mud  be  orderly  conftirutcd  inro  a  churcrt 
fUrc,  according  t&  thcinftiitition  oi  Chrift 
in  (he   go!, 

t.  Avifible   gefpe!  cfcvftf)  is  made  h\  gathering 

divers  (cried  peiic.ns    unto  Jcfus  Cf  rirt,   in  a  (piri: 

tual   bodv,     ard   relation  to  him  as   their    political 

head,   Ezei\    ^     ,  x     %   j^f   2     J#    hifllfclf being 

he  great  flvpherd,   that  firft  fecks    them,    and  pre- 

Dares  tl  em  bv  the  work  of  renewing  grace,   ibrluch 

tual  building 

1.  Chrift  as  th«  mediator  rf  the  new  covcranf, 

wdcreth   rhe  everlafting  gofpe!  to  be  \  r  »c]  ed,  an  J 

il    with   his  holy  Spiii^blclTeth  h  to 

►he  turning  or  men  from  darknefs  to  lighr,     wcrk- 

B  ing 


74  -*  fi"t  trta/ifi 

ing  faith  and  lore  in  them.  Eph.  *.  17.  Afti  26  f. 

j.  When  finners  arc  thus  wrought  upon  effectu- 
ally, to  fuch  a  fuitable  number,  as  may  be  an  eflcn- 
tial  church,  1.  §„  fo  many  as  may  act  properly  and 
orderly  as  a  church,  hlxth  \%  if,— 17.  that  then 
it  will  be  proper  for  them  by  their  mutual  confent, 
to  propofe  to  be  conftkured  a  church,  or  that  o- 
thers  feeing  the  expediency  thereof  may  encourage 
the  fame.  Acts   1 1 

4.  For  the accompliflment  of  fo  glorious  a  work, 
it  is  necelTary  that  a  day  of  fjftipg  and  prayer  be 
appointed  bv  and  among  fuch  believers,  and  that 
fuch  procure  fuch  neighbouring  helps  as  they  can, 
cfpecully  of  the    mimftry.     Afts    8     14.    I    Mef, 

5  The  perfons  being  firft  orderly  baptifed,  accor 
ding  to  tre  command  of  Chrift  in  Mtth.  28.  19* 
and  b^ingall  fuisiled  of  the  graces  and  qualifications 
of  each"  other,  and  b-jng  willing  in  the  feir  of  God 
to  take  the  laws  of  Ch rift  upon  rhem,  and  do*  by 
one  naurual  confent  give  up  themfelves  ro  the  Lord, 
and  ro  'tv-  ano:  icr  in  the  Lord,  2  Or.  g-  <;.  fo- 
lcmnlv  fubiniding  to  the  government  oficbwft  in 
his  church,  and  being  unired,  thev  are  to  be  de- 
elated  a  aofpcl-cKu;ch  of  Jefus  Crtrift,  Phil-  2  2. 
j,    4.    Rom    4ti  7.  Clhxpi  12.    1.    A&*.   2    4'-  42. 

6  h  uunbrr  of  belic/rrs  thusunixed  uniler  Thrift 
their  medical  head,  are  become  a  church  tiThethh 
and  as  (uch  is  the  firft  and  p«f*pet  fubjefr  of  rhe 
k«yfc»  and  have  power  and  privilege  to  govern  'hem- 

felves 


$f  church-difciplinc.  7f 

frlves,  and   ro  clmofe  our  rleir  own  miniftcrul  of- 
ficer*.  Atti    14.  2 }.  Chnp.   6.   J. 


Qevcerning  /ninf(lers>   &c0 

AC  H  U  R  C  H  thus  conftiruTccf,  isnoryct 
complearcd,  while  wanting  fuch  rriniftcrial 
helps,  as  Chrift  hath  appointed  for  irs  growth  and 
well  being;  and  wanting  c!<le*s  and  dcicors  to  offi- 
ciate among  theirr.  Men,  tnt»  muff,  be,  that  arc 
qualified  for  the  work;  theirqmhficationsait  plain- 
ly and  fa'Pv  fee  down  in  holv  fcriptmes  I  Tim.  $• 
s— 7.  Tr>.  4.  t~  10.  a'l  Wfhfcn  ir.Utt  be  fc.und  in 
them,  in  tome  good  degree  and  it  is  the  dot)  or  the 
church   'o  try  the  perlons,   bv    tie  rue  or  the  word# 

ubjeftion.  But  what  mail  a  chinch  do,  in  cafe 
rhc\  can  have  nunc  among  tlien)  fit  to  bear  office 
acroi  ling  ro  tie  rule  or  the  w  rd  ? 

Anfw.  (r.)  That  to  expect  to  have  officers  per- 
fect in  the  hi^heft  decrees  of  thofc  qua  ificati<ns, 
wcie  to  expect  apod- >lical  and  extraortiinaxy  ceafed 
gifts  in  ordinajy  rijr.es.  (2  )  U  rone  among  the 
members  of  a  church  be  found  fit  in  Come  meafarc 
f»>r  rue  mlmftry,  a  neighbouring  church  mav  and 
ough:,  ifpufllble,  to  (upply  them,  C*nt.  8.  8.  f}J 
lee  fuch  as  tlies  have,  if  they  have  any  that  item 
hopeftrl,  be  1  while  upon  tryah  anJ  the  ptrfon  thac 
the  Lord  (liil!  chufe,  will  flcurifli  in  fome  good 
mealurc  with  Aaron's  rod  among  the  tods  of  the 
tribes. 

a.  A 


76  Ajhotttrettif* 

2.  A  church  being  de&itufie  of  mlnifterial  fcefps, 
Biiy,  after  mature  and  often  deliberate  confutation^ 
and  ftrious  prayers  to  God,  pi?*h  upon  fomeperfon 
er  p?rfons  in  particular,  giving  him  01  t!icm  a  lolemn 
invitation  to  the  woik  cf  the  miniftry  upon  tnal  y 
and  if  fuch  accept  of  the  church's*  call,  let  fuch 
be  upon  ryal,  to  fee  if  fuch  fear  God,  make  god- 
Jincfs  their  buiinefs.  and  be  adicted  to  the  n-arjk 
of  the  miniftry,  feeking  to  further  the  inter  eft  of 
Chrift,  and  the  edification  of  his  people  in  found 
and  wholefome  do&iine;  and  to  fee  if  any  vices  or 
imoraUry  appear  in  their  advances.,  i.  Cor.  jg. 
+Lil.  i.  2">,  21.  Read  the  qualifications  in  1  Tim. 
*.  And  in  cafe  a  church  mould  call  a  pcrfon.ro  be 
their  miniiter,  who  is  a  mcrr  bcr  of  fomc  fifker- 
church,  and  he  accept  then  call  to  he  their  mjnif- 
tcr>  le  muft  in  the  tuft  place  gfVjt  himfelf  a  mem- 
ber with  the  church  io  calling  him,  thar  fo  they 
mav  chafe  him   a -nong  themfclves,  as  Afts  6.   J. 

After .kwi.ng  uken  all  dut-care  to  chufe  one  tor 
the  woik  of  the  miniftry,  they  arc,  by  and  with  the 
unanimous  confent  or  fuffrag.e  of  the  church,  to 
proceed  to  his  ordination;  which  is  a  folemn  fer- 
ting  apart  of  iuch  a  pe  (on  for  the  facred  function  ( in 
this  wifey  by  fettin*  aparra  day  offaftiig  and  pray- 
er, Afti  1$.  2,  5.  the  whole  church  being  prefent, 
he  is  to  have  t'.e  hands  of  the  prefbytcry  of  that 
chinch  (or  neighbouring  eiders  called  and  authorir 
7,zd  by  that  church)  whereof  fuch  a  pcrfon  is  a  mem* 
ber,  Lolemnly  laid  upon  him,  j  Jim.  c.  %l.  lit. 
jt.  e,.  ABs  14.  2 J.    I*  Tin.  4.   14*  and  thus  Inch  a 

perfon 


ijf  Aufth 

perfoa   k    to  be    recommended  into   the    work  of 
L©rd,     an  J   to  cake  particular  cue  of  the  flock 
of  wkom  be  isthis  choicfl,  Atl>  20.  28. 

4.   The  minifter  being  thus  put  upon    his  work, 
proceeds  (^  to  preach  rhe  word  of  God  unrothem: 
thereby   to   feci  the  flock,  and  therein  ought  to  be 
1  ful  and   laborious,  ftudving  to  ihew  himfclf  a 
w  itkman  thac    ncedcth  not  to  be  aihamed,  rightly 
dividing  the  word  or'  truth,   2  Tim*  2,    If.  *s  he  is 
a    iKwaid  of  God    in  the  m)  (ferries  of  the  gofprl,- 
I  Cor,  4,    1     2.  and  therefore  ought  to  be  a  man  of 
•d    underjtanding     and     experience,    be    found 
the  faith,  not  a  novice,  or  a  double-  minded  un» 
(table  man,  nor  fuch  as  is  light  Ipiriiedor  «fa  tful- 
l>w   u'.der  (landing,    but  one  that  is  learned   in  the 
irr  fteries  of  the  kingdom,   becaufc  he  is  to  feed   the' 
people  wich  knowledge  and  understanding,  Jer.  j;- 
15.    he  muff  be    faithful    in   declaring    the    whole 
eounfelof  God,   Acts  20.    20.    he  is  to  inihuci  them 
in  all  godlincfs,   fa\  ing  before  them  their  manifold 
duties,  and  to  uige  them   upon    their   cor.fcieno 
Jit,   2.    I-  if.    1.    ?*i*k  4-6    (2)  he  muff  watcfe 
over  them,  as  one  that  miiftgive  an  account  to  God, 
Btb.  1  j.    17.  fuch  muff  have  an  eye  upon  every  mem- 
ber to  fee  bo*  they  behave  in   the    houfe  of  God, 
where  the  prefence  of  the  Lord  is  more  emincr.tljrv 
and  where  a!fo  the  angels  do  ahways  attend,*  and  al~ 
fo  their  b'.haviour   in  the  families  they  belong  re 
and  their   con verfation  abroad:  according    to   their 
capacities,    they  are  not  ro   rleep under  their  charge, 
(i)  He  is  to  viAt  his  flock,  to  know  tbeir  ftate,   inA 


78  A  fior:  trtmtifc 

erder  to  minift-rfuicable  doctrinal  relief  umo  them, 
and  that  he  m ay  know  what  difordcrs  there  may  be 
amonglt  rh«m,  that  the  unruly  may  be  reproved* 
Vrov,  27.  13.  1  Tocff.  c.  14,  ic.  (4)  He  is  coad- 
minister all  the  ordinances  of  Chuftamongfl  them: 
as  boprifm,  and  the  Lord's  fcpper,  and  herein  he 
*null  be  careful  to  .follow  the  primitive  pattern, 
thereby  to  hold  forth  the  great  end,  whcrcroic  they 
were  ordained.  (<;)  He  muft  be  rnftan-c  with  God, 
in  his  prayers  for  and  with  them,  as  openunitv  may 
fcrve,  .  (6)  He  mud  mew  them  a  good  example  in 
al!  refpects,  in  conversation,  (obrietv,  charkv,  faith, 
and  purity,  1  Tim.  4,  12  behaving  hirniclrirnpar- 
riaJ  unto  all,  nor,  pr.-fer ring  the  rich  before  the  pour, 
nor  lordiflg  it  over  God's  heritage,  nor-airume  gi  ea- 
ter power  thin  God  hath  given  him,  James  2.  4. 
I    Tim,    5     n.    1.    Pet.    5.    j,   5. 


Of  ruling  eldtrs. 

RULING  ciders  are  fuch  perfons  as  ate 
endutdwith  gilt>,  roafnft  the  paftec  or  teach- 
er in  the  government  or  the  church;  it  was  as 
a  ftatutt  inliraef,  Exod.  18  Di*t.$  rj  The  works 
t>f  teaching  and  ruling  belong  both  to  the  paftor, 
but  in  cafe  he  be  unable,  or  the  work  of  ruling  too 

i»reat  for  him,  Cod  hath  provided  fuch  for  his  af- 
iftance,  and  they  are  called  ruling  elders,  1  /*>#  t# 
17.  helps,  1  C*r.  12.  2$.  governments,  or  he 
thatxulctb*  torn.    xa.  8.  They  zzz    qualified   Tor, 

tad 


#/  chare  !rnc.  7f 

amd  called  unto,  one  put  of  die  work:  .nn  J  experi- 
ence teacheth  us  the  life  and  I  :uch  iulcrs 
in  tiic  church*  in  eating    clic  palt   p  or  teachei 

the  honouf  ofi  Their  cjua- 

ire  fuch  as  are  r<  >   rule,  askrrow- 

nJ  as  tf>  ciie  man- 
ner oj  i.rion  umo 
other  .  irig  and  pra.  er, 
with  imposition  of  hands.  Thei  onK  relateth 
toruleand  order,  in  the  chuich  of  Gorf,  and  doth 
nor  include  i  c  ehtuch  findcth  they 
have  gifts  and  abilities  to  be  ufcful  in  teaching,  they 
mav  be  put  upon  trval,  and  it  approved,  ti,ev  may 
be  called  and  folemnlv  fet  apa»t  by  ordination,  k 
being  wholly  adiftinct  olftct  r'rom  the  former,  which 
nlv  to  rule  well,  and  not  CO  labour  in  word  and 
doctrine. 


Cf    deacons.  • 

DE  A  C  O  N  S  are  men  called  forth  bv  the 
church*  to  fc:ve  in  the  out  war  4  concern* 
thereof  >  whotcoffice  is  ro  lerve  tables.  A&$ 
6  2-  7.  they  are  to  be  ennufted  with  the  frock  of 
the  chinch,  out  of  which  flock  they  arc  to  affill  the 
members  of  the  church,  and  to  provide  bread 
and  wine  ror  the  Lord's  table,  and  alio  -o  have  re- 
gard to  the  mini  tier's  table;  and  moirovtr  they 
fhould  fee  that  ail  the  members  of  the  chinch  do 
contribute  towards  the  proper  ufes  or  the  church, 

(that 


8®  A%  Jkort  treatifi 

(that  therefrom  x\  neccflTary  occasions  may  be  Ap- 
plied )  as  God  hath  given  them,  they  to  the  po«r> 
fo  that  none  be  negle&ed,  i  Cor.  if.  2.  h)  the 
faithful  difciurse  of  which  office  they  (hall  pur* 
chafe  to  chemfelvcs  a  good  degree  and  great  bold- 
nefs  in  die  faith,  i  Tim.  j  i;.  The  qualifications 
or  chafe  officers  are  kid  down  i  Tim,  j*  8  -  i}. 
A&s  6.  JJ— gi 

O/  f£*  admtjftoH  of  church  mgmbert, 

TH  E  Lord  Tefus  Chrift  hath  committed  the 
ufc  and  power  of  the  keys,  in  tmtters  of  go- 
vernment, to  every  virible  congregational  church, 
to  be  ufed.  according  to  the  rules  and  directions  that 
he  ha^h  given  in  his  word,  in  his  name  and  to  his 
glory:  the  keys  are  the  power  of  Chrift,  which 
lie  harh  given  to  every  particular  congregation,  to 
open  and  (hut  itfelt  by}  and  ro  do  all  t.iings  in 
6rd&r  to  the  great  things  propofed,  viz.  his  glory 
&»d  his  peoples  fpiritnal  benefit,  in  peace  and  purity, 
lj*$  9.  7.  Chap.  ZZ,  22.  ReViL.}.  7.  Heb'>  ;. 
6,  Epb,  1.  j?-  22.  Math*  1 6,  19.  Jchn  20  2;* 
By  virtue  of  the  chartex*  arsd  pjowcr  afore- 
faid,  which  Chrift  hath  given  to  his  church,  hisfpi- 
litual  corporation,  they  are  enabled  to  rccvive  mem- 
bers in,  and  to  exclude  unworthy  members  as  oc-- 
coflon  may  require,  as  way  appear  by  divers  exam- 
ples, Horn.  14.  I.  A6t$  2.  41.  1  Cor,  5.  4,  9. 
Jd4f.   18.   It  alM  2.  6,   14^ 

I* 


of  church  difcipli/tc.  8' 

iscarc,   a  ith  to  do,  either  with  non- 

jnembets,  or  tho(c  thirarc  rr,ernbcrsf>l  othef  church- 
es ;  is  to  non-members  propofing  fh on  into 
r  c  c  uccki  the  paftor,  teacher  and  elects  or  the 
Itch  ate  robe  a'Cjiuinted  therewith,  and  the  bo- 
dv  or  rb«  rhusch  alio,  in  ouier  that  rhcy  may  know 
the  in  icnd  of  inch  pcrfon  or  }  erfons.  A  conveni- 
ent meeting  is  necclfarv.  When  chcchutch  is  come 
together,  and  rLc  perfon  propofing  being  prefent, 
after  praver  to  God  for  di.e&ioa,  rhe  ir.irifler  or 
paftor  of  rre  c'.urch,  is  to  pur  ftveial  q':dtions  ro 
t.c  pcrfon  propofing.  (i)  Concerning  the  pround 
and  reafon  of  his  hope,  i  Ve\  3.  J  c_  *hercrn  is 
to  be  enquired,  what  experience  he  hath  o  the  ma- 
nifold giac&s  t>(  tie  h<  I)  \\  -:rir,  A'orkiny  in  him 
repentance  fr^m  jdad  works  as  Acis  2.  ;8.  H§k.  <•», 
2.  md  fai'h  rowuds  cur  Lcrdjcfus  Chriiun  wha 
alone  is  fa'vaticn  hoped  f<-r,  ^  20.  1 1,  il.tlcm. 
«,.  f  U  r<  be  font*  good  grounds  in 
the  jijdgmenr  of  charity,  rha.t  fuca  an  1  ^c  is  a  new 
creature,  the  door  of  adn  iflton  is  i& 
for  that  would  be  abuiing  the  privileges  of  the 
houfe  of  (Jod,  therefore  all  due  and  ic^uiii  care, 
is  rotten,    rfsl  t6   16.  ABs^.  27. 

1  //>■.  v5T1ut  competence  of  knowledge,  in  the  prin  • 
eipal  docfrincs  of  faith  and  order,  fuel  hi rh  acquired, 
iTim.  2>4-6  whether  tech  pcrfon  be  well  infhuclcd 
in  the  knowledge  of  God,  in  his  glorious  attributes, 
in  the  do&rine  of  tie  trinity,  or  ore  G:>d  in  three 
pcifons,  the  pcrfon,  natures  and  offices  of  Chrifti 
the  nature  of  the  lawi  of  original  fin;  of  the 
pollution  oF  man,  by  reafon  of  fin,    and  loft  an^ 


%t  Afhort  tretrift 

undone  eftatc  thereby,  and  of  his  beirg  a  child  of 
wrarh  by  nature;  or  the  nature  of  the  redemption 
wrought  by  Chrift,  his  fufficiency  to  fatisfie  divine 
jufticej  o£  the  reconciliation  of  finners  to  God,  by 
the  death  of  his  fon;  of  our  fins  being  imputed 
to  Chrift,  and  his  rightcoufnefs  imputed  to  us  for 
justification,  bring  received  by  faith  alone ;  of  the 
refurte&ion  of  Chrift'*  body,  and  his  afcenfion  in- 
to heaven,  and  of  his  coming  tiaence  the  fecond 
time,  to  judge  rhe  quick  and  the  deid;  and  of 
the  refurreclion  of  the  dead  bodies  of  men,  and  of 
the  eternal  judgment;  and  of  fuch  propofing  pet- 
fon's  refolution  to  perfeverc  in  the  profeflion  of 
thefe  truths  unro  the  end*  Such  things  are  need- 
ful to  be  enquired  into,  by  rcafon  that  too  many 
in  our  day  do  build  their  conversion  upon  their 
conviftions,  and  fomc  genera!  notions  of  the  chtif- 
mn  religion  when  indeed  they  arc  utter  ftrangers 
unto  and  vcrv  ignorant  of  the  great  myft'eries  of 
the  gofpeU  Y<t  great  care  is  to  be  taken  that  th« 
weak  be  not  dilVouragcd,  for  the  fmoaking-  flax  is 
nor  to  be  crienc  icd,  nor  the  bruifed  reed  to  be 
broken  but  Rich  ignorant  perfons  are  to  be  raug!t 
b^  geml«  inltru&ions,  and  means  ought  to  be  uitd 
for  their  hirrherance  irv  rhe  knowledge  of  divine 
truths,  M^ttb.2%.  19.  and* where  thtieis  the  be- 
ginnings of  true  and  faving  grace  in  the  heart,  fuch 
will  with  a  fyirkual  appetite,  receive  the  fincere 
milk  of  the  word,  that  they  may  grow  thereby, 
i  Pet.  t\  2  and  a  church  oiighr  to  be  careful  not 
so  reject  thofc,  whom  they  judge  to  have  the  lead 

de&ree 


*/  church    difcipline.  1} 

degree  of  the  work  of  (aving   pace,    wrought  ill 
them,   i?wi,  14.  r. 

rdly.  Enqairy  muft  bt  made  whether  fuch  a 
pcrfon's  life  and  con?cifation  is  anfwcrablc  to  iuch 
a  profeflton,  tha:  he  b.-  likely  toadoin  the  gofpcl 
with  a  holy  convention,  lit.  a.  1 1  —  i  ^  Ch*f>+ 
j.  8.  This  regular  catcfulr4ds  if  an  ladilpcnhbl* 
dut\  of  all  regular  churches  to  ufc  in  t: .c  admiflion 
©r  members ;  and  tho'  all  due  care  be  ufed,  )«t 
fome  unlound  ami  rotten  proltflors  will  creep 
in  una.vaies,  and  have  citptinro  the  pureft  churches. 
Jade  vcr.  4  i  obn  2.  19  Act*  e.  Ails  20.  19,  JO, 
Cat  2  4.  and  thr  fallibility  or  churches  in  this 
matter,  is  not  to  be  urged,  as  an  argument  or  ground 
to  negied  the  dut»  imuaibent  on  rhe  churches,  ac- 
cording  to  the  rule  of  the    word. 

And  after  (u  h  examinau.  n,  the  rjucfUon  is  tnbe 
put  to  ;he  church,  whct.'ie:  tbc]  a;ea!i  ;ati^fitd  wi  h 
the  partA  conLffion  and  convert nion;  and  il  the 
a^fwer  be  in  rhe  afrit  n -stive,  then  the  paftor  or 
Oljniftci  is  to  proc-ed,  to  atk  the  pact*  pn  pofing, 
if  he  be  willing!'  ido.v.d  t  as  Cod  fball  give  abili- 
t)  )  to  walk  in  a  pi«>tc fled  fubjrclion  ro  the  com- 
mands and  i-fticjtjons  ot  Chrift  revealed  in  the 
g  Ipe'.  and  to  give  himself  a  member  of  that  chinch 
in  particular,  /tf.'M2,  1.  Chap  ic.7.8.9.  2  Cor. 
8  c.  and  to  continue  in  the  communion,  faah 
nd  order  thereof  according  tn  the  gofpcl  rules- 
and  directions,  a' d  after  the  pen'on  is  baptifed  ac- 
cording to  t!e  inftj  uuon  and  command  ot  CI. till, 
and  com*  under  the  impohrion  of  tuc  hands  of  the 

elders 


84  A  jhort  trettife 

ciders  •(  the  church,  according  to  the  practice  of 
the  apoftles,  Afts%.  14--17.  Hebr.69.  the  paftor, 
minifter  or  elders,  as  presiding  in  the  ads  of  the 
church's  power, do  receive  fach  an  oncintothe  com- 
munion and  felbwfhip  of  that  church  in  particular* 
Bur  if  the  church  is  not  fatified  with  the  perfons's 
<onfciTijn  or  con-verfation  it  is  proper  (if  the  ob- 
jections be  of  any  weight)  to  defer  -che  party's  ad- 
RiiiTion  until  a  more  ample  fatisfa<5tion  can  be  given, 
that  all,  if  poflible,  may  receive  fach  with  freedom 
in  love,  and  io  as  to  difchargcall  gofpel  duties  to«- 
watds  hira,  as  may  promote  his  edification  in  th« 
faith  and  his  intrcafe  ir\  grace,  2  Or.  1.  24,  Chap* 
IO.  8- 

And  concerning  thofe  that  are  members  of  fiftet 
churches,  their  ad  million  is  either  tranfiemand  oc- 
casional admiffion;  or  when  any  per  fan  is  difmif- 
fed  wholly  fro  to  one  church,  and  tranfmitud  01 
recommended  Co  another  church  of  the  fame 
faith,  order  and  pradHce*  ( 1  )  Such  as  are  and 
cominue  membcis  of  o;her  regular  churches,  may 
(where  they  are  weil  known)  be  admitted  into 
tranuent  communion,  without  a  letter  ot  recom- 
mendation from  the  church  thev  belong  unro  : 
bat  from  <thofe  that  a  church  hath  no.  knowledge  of, 
a  rcftimonial  letter  is  neceilar?,  that  a  church  may 
not  be  impofed  on  by  any  loofe  cr  diforderly  per- 
fons.  (2)  Thofe  wh^fe  refiinece  is  r?move*J,  of 
place  of  abode  is  more  cofcytnicritfo  he  with  another 
congregation  man  that  of  whi^h  thcr  are  memb.is, 
ate,  upon  their  requcft  made  to  the  church  where- 

of 


#/  shureh  difcipline,  gc 

of  fucli  arc  members,  to  be  difmilTcd,  and  to  have  a  let 
tcr  from  that  church  thev  were  members  of  fabficribcj 
bv  the  officers  and  members,  and  directed  :o  rhe  ch  urch 
theperton  isdifmirted  unto  ;  whereby  the  party 
is  discharged  from  his  or  her  original  relation  of  par- 
r  memberfhip  to   that   church,  and  is  transfer- 
red to  rhc  conftant    communim,   watch,    and  care 
of  the  other  church  :  fuch   perfons  arc  to  be  receiv- 
ed upon    their   propolal,  according  to  the   crcden- 
.  they  bring;   except  rhe  church  they  apply    un- 
to, hath  a  fpecial  reafon  to  defer  or  refufe. 

As  if  appears  to  be  the  practice  of  believers,  in  the 
irivc  times,    to  give    thcmfelves    members  of 
.cular  churches,  Atts  i.  4t.    Chap.  c,.    fj,    14, 
it  appears  alio  that  in  the  apoft'es  days,  there  were 
many    diftind  and  difhnc  particular  churches  as    i 
Cor.    i#   2.    G*l.    I.    i.   I.    Cor.    16.    I.    Phil.    I,  I. 
which  churches  are  fcveral  corporations  of  menpro- 
fdfing  repentance  from  dead  works,  and  faith  in  our 
kfos  Chrift,  and  incorporated  by  mutual  con- 
Cent  (as  before  mentioned    whofe   end  is  to  glonfie 
God  by  obedience  to  i .is  revealed  Will,  and   to  tl.elr 
own  edification  in  the  faith,    and  the  good  of  others  ; 
fo  it  is  the  durv  o^  believer*  tc  give  thcmfelves  in 
particular  member  fhip,  in  tuci  a  particular  church  as 
ipprar   bv     the  word  of  God   to  be  oitrnd  )X 
.   fundamental  articles  of  thechriftiar  religion, 
H  to   practice  according  to  the  mi  ;{t  de- 

ar cd  w  teftament,  in  al!  gefj  elhftkuu- 

oih  and  w.  ifliip. 

From  which  c^nflderarinns     it  ippciH  H  e  rcaforis- 
bL-  duty  of  ever,  believer  to  give  hi  ii&U  a  tnembcf 

I 


$6  A  Jhort  treati/e 

#o  fuch  an  orderly  church,  as  is  moft  conveniently 
iituated  (that  is,  meeting  nigheft.  the  place  of  his 
•r  her  residence)  for  which  then  arc  the  fe  apparent 
reafons.  (i)  For  men  to  give  thcmfelves  members 
of  a  diitant  church,  when  another  of  the  fame  faith 
and  gofpel-oi  dcr  is  nighcr,  is  for  fueh  a  pcrfon,  to 
put  himfelf  under  a  necefliry  of  negle&ing  the  or- 
dinary appointed  meetings  of  that  church,  whereofc 
he  is  a  member,  and  whereof  the  particular  charge 
is  given,  Heb.  io*  2U  that  he  might  attend  and 
wait  in  the  ufc  of  God's  appointed  means,  for  his 
edification  by  the  miniftry  of  that  church.  (3) 
Such  pats  himfelf  under  a  wilful  ncceffity  to  negled 
his  duty  of  care  over,  and  conftant  communion  with 
his  fellow  members,  and  wilfully  deprives  himfelf 
©f  their  care  over  him,  advice,  christian  converting, 
and  brotherly  loving  inftrudions  and counfels,  that 
by  the  bleffingof  God  might  increafc  hisknowlegc, 
grace  and  comfort.  (3)  Such  cannot  be  affi/hntto 
the  chuich  in  difcipline,  contribution,  and  the  like 
ihitles,  nor  cannot  be  taken  care  oU  and  be  aiTtfted 
/(without  much  unnecefiary  trouble)  by  the  church, 
in  cafe  of  need.  (4)  Such  a  piaclice  tends due&ly 
,to  the  conftifion  of  churches,  and  all  church  or^er, 
and  fuits  well  with  the  humour  of  noify,  lifeleffc, 
Joofe,  cr  covetous  niggardly  pcrfons.  (5)  It  is  a 
way  that  the  church  cannot  find  what  ufeful  tallents 
,fuch  jKifons  may  have,  ro  the  benefit  of  the  body 
of  the  chrrch.  (6)  It  is  cafiing  great  contempt 
upon  the  nearer  church,  in  her  minijfhy  and  ^rder, 
And  the  iiks* 

And 


J 


#/  chi  rc!i-<h7  iplinr  g7 

And  here  it  h  further  to  be  considered,  rfiff  as  it 
is  expedient  for  pcif  nsro  <:ivc  rhcmfelves  member* 
nMrch  reguhr  churches,  with  which  they  may  keep 
the  moft  intimate  fc  Uowfliip  and  communion  in  all 
the  parts  of  religious  woiftip.  So  it  is  highly 
rcafrmablc  thai  I   at  aft  members  of  fuch  re- 

s  wherethe  word  is pttrcty preached  tti€ 
ordinances  of  the  g"fpeJ  dulv  adminiftred,  and  gofpel 
di'cipline  is  impjrtiallv  pradifed  i  fhould  continue 
il  membcrfhip  with  fuch  churchsj  altho'  there  be 
ikncfo  imperfection  and  frailty,  in  the  particu- 
lar practical  acls  thereof;  which  while  the  affairs  of 
the  church  are  managed  by  men,  even  rheu  holy 
vvill  have  iniquity  as  of  old,  F.xod.  28-  ?3« 
ic  is  therefore  unreiioBiblt  to  difmifs  any  nscmber, 
from  a  church  tint  is  near  to  anv  one's  r?fidence, 
to  a  church  more  rcmore,  upon  difgufr  taken  at  rf,c 
management  of  iome  particular  cafe,  wherewith  Cvc\\ 
is  woe  well  pkafed,  and  for  inch  canfc  demands  dif- 
miffioni  a-d  it  is  unreafonable  alfo  to  grant  dif- 
miflion  t«  fjcli  a  member,  who  fhould  demand  a 
difmiiTion  in  peremptory  manner,  without  giving  a 
rcalon  Fof  fych  a  demand;  in  either  of  which  cafes, 
'  h  a  (Jilmito^Il  not  to  h:  grinrrd,  (j)  FeQufc  fc? 
fo  doing  the  grcateft  a  nfufion  would  be  introduced  : 
foroF.c  member  would  thus  bedilmifled  to  onediftint 
church,  and  another  ro  another  difbmt  church,  and  t!  • 
otiier  churches  doing  the  like,  k  can  end  in  nothing 
Jefs  than  the  confuhon  of  every  church.  (2)  The 
fame  libertv  that  members  have,  ptftors,  miltiftdfct 
ruling  elders,  and    deacens  liavc  alfoj  thereby  any 

rch 


83  A  foort  trettift 

church  may  difmifs  her  members  until  me  i*  unable 
to  maintain  worfhip  and  communion:  for  thofc 
that  relice  near,  are  become  msrobers  of  a  remote 
body>  and  fo  unconcem'd,  and  thofe  that  are  mem- 
bcres  live  remote  and  k>  under  an  impoiTibility  to 
occupy  their  place,  (\)  This  in  the  tendency  of  it, 
is  to  remove  the  bounds  of  churches,  which  is  to 
contift  of  fuch  members,  as  can,  with  the  utmoft 
conveniency,  meet  together  in  one  p1ace>  for  both, 
worfhip  and  :ovemment>  j  Cor.  11.20.  Chap.  14. 
33.  (4)  This  hath  a  tendency  to  alter  the  conftitu- 
tion  of  particular  churches,  from  being  congregati* 
onal  corporations)  into  rhe  national  or  univerfal  no- 
tien  of  rhe  church  \  which  unfverlal  church  we  be- 
lieve t®  be  the  myftical  body  of  Jefus  Chrift,  which 
as  fuch  is  nor  the  feat  of  inftituted  worihip  and 
ordinances,  Alfo  it  is  not  reafonableto  diimifs  to 
the  world  at  large,  nor  to  difmifs  a  member  to  a 
church,  with  which  tfce  church  difmiffiug,  cannot 
hold  commufiion. 


Of  the   duties  of  church- members. 

TH  E  members  of  churches,  owe  all  their  du- 
ties in  a  way  of  obedience  to  the  will  of  God 
ie\  e  iled  in  his  word,  and  their  duties  are  to  bepeiror- 
audj  in  love  to  our  Lord  jtfus Chrift,  John  14.  i$# 
WiiO  is  the  great  prophet,  prieft  and  king  of  his 
chuichi  which  he  hath  purchased  with  his  own  blt>od# 
ASi  2,0.  2i*  Rtv.  1,  $.  a.  Cor.  5. 15.  am©  whom 

3(11 


of  church-difciplinc.  |o 

all  power  in  heaven  and  earth  is  given,  Mstk.  ig. 
l8-  and  is  thrrcfoic  our  Lord  and  lawgiver,  //*#, 
5  j.  22.  who  alone  is  head  of  his  church,  Ephef, 
I.  22.  his  perfon  is  to  be  honoured,  and  aJl  his 
commands  are  to  be  obferved,  Meh.  i.  2.  John  e. 
2t.  all  worlliip  is  to  be  afcribed  unro  him.  as  God 
ble(Ted  for  ever,  Rom,  9.  r .  all  church  members* 
therefore,  are  under  the  ftrifteft  obligations  to  do 
and  cbferve  whacfecver  Chiift  enjoy ncth  on  the*), 
as  mutual  duties  towards  one  another. 

The  officers  of  the  church,  whom  Chrift  hath  ap- 
pointed, arc  to  be  refpefted.  (1)  The  deacons  of 
the  chyrch  (tho1  they  officiate  but  in  the  outward 
concerns  of  the  church,  as  in  the  fc<5Hon  about  dea- 
cons is  noted)  if  they  are  faithful,  do  purchafc  un- 
to themfclvcs  a  good  degree,  1  Tim.  j.  ij.  arc 
therefore  to  be  reipecled.  (2)  Ruling  elders  alf® 
arc  ro  be  refpe&ed,  feeing  they  are  fitted  of  God, 
and  called  by  the  church  to  go  before  the  church, 
or  to  prefide  in  acls  of  government  and  rule,  1  Tim. 
?•  !/•  0)  Miniftcrs,  who  are  the  (rewards  of  the 
myfteritsof  the  gofpel,  are  in  an  eminent  manner 
to  be  regarded,  as  being  the  erabaiTadors  of  peace, 
t  Cor.  c.  20.  tho'  they  arc  not  to  hunt  for  it>  as 
the  pharifeesof  old,  Math  2J.  c.  5,  7,  Tht  d«- 
tics  of  church  members,  towards  their  elders,  teach- 
ers, minitUrs  and  paftors,  may  be  inclnded  in  their  ' 
(1)  Praying  foi  them,  that  God  wouki  openxcteox 
of  utterance  unto  them,  to  unfold  the  myfteireS 
If£.  6.  ig»  *9>  2°.  (a)  To  obey  them  in  rh<*. 
lord>  in  whatlbevcichev  admonitK  them*  according^ 


po  A  jkort  rreatije 

to  the  word  of  God,  Heb.  ij.  17,  22.  (^Infl- 
owing their  example  and  footfteps,  as  far  as  war- 
ranted by   the   word,   1   Cor,    4,  16.   Chap.  11.    i» 

P/?/7*  3.  17.  Heh.ii*  7.  (4)  In  (landing  by  them, 
iu  all  their  tryals  and  afflictions,  and  in  defending 
them  in  all  good  caules,  as  far -as  in  them  lies;  in  2 
Tim.  I,  i.e.  thofe  of  Aji*  *rc  blamed,  for  turning 
away,  or  not  (landing  by  the  apoftlc.  (j)  Tn  not 
expofing their  perfons  for.  their  infirmities,  as 
far  as  may  be,  confidering  the  profperity  of  rhc  gof- 
pel  much  depends  on  their  good  report,  Acls  i\\ 
5;  (6)  In  contributing  towards  their  maintenance, 
that  they  may  attend  wholiy  on  teaching  and  give 
themfelves-to  the  rainidry  of  the  vvord  and  to  prav- 
er,  jicls  6.  4^  the  reafons  thereof  is  evident  by  a 
threefold  law*  (1)  the  law  of  nature,  from  whence 
theapoftle  argues,  r  Cor.  9.  y.-~  n.  (2)  The  le- 
vitical  law,  1  Cor.  9.  1$.  (5)  The  gofpel  enjoyn- 
e*b  and  xequketh  the  fame,  Gal.  6.  6.  1  Cor.  9. 
1 4.  Let  thefe  above-cited  places  of  fcripture,  be 
coniidered,  with-  many  other  of  like  importance^  . 
and  the  natare  and  tendency  of  the  work  of  the  mi- 
niftry  be  well  weighed,  and  it  will  be  clear  th.ir  ic 
is  a  duty  required  of  Gcd  hiir.felf;  and  that  not  in 
a  way  of  alms,  as  to  the  poor,  which  is  another 
{landing  ordinance  of  Chriii,  but  is  to  be  perform- 
ed in  love  to  Chrift,  arfc)  obedience  to  his  laws,  in 
order  to  fupport  and  carry  the  mtcrell  of  the  gof- 
peL.  Yet  tins  is  not  to  be  given  to  any  one  that 
Aiay  pretend  ro  be  a  minifter,  or  thrufl.  himfelf 
^£ona  church,  or  to  fach.as  ran  without  *  njiiTion 


*/  church  dii  ?I 

Vithv  lucres  (akc>  but  churches  ought  ro  rake  a 
fptcial  care  who  ro  call  fAth  o  the  work  or  rhc 
miniftp ,  g  to  the  rule  or  n  given 

bv  ini;>iution  or  God,    be  rfic\  Pruned  or  unlearned 
as  to  human    l<  bi  tl  tj  rich  01    poor,    as  to 

liberality  of  the  people    (  if  they  be  able) 
aid     (ut  mount  the   neceffity  of     the    minifter, 
fb  as  that   be    ma)  cxercife    ti.ofe  a<frs  of  love  and 
picalitv,    as  is   required  of  tucu,   that  therein  he 
ma\  be  exemplary    in  good  works,  &c.   Moreover 
(e  that  attend  on  their  miniftty,   to 
afl.lt    be  rein  i    Gsl.  6.  6,  and    as  people  do    fuw,  fo 
fliall  rhe\    reap-    GaI.  6.  7.    ^ud  8.    vide    Confejfion 
of  faith,  Chap.tC  §.  10.   When  people  negled  their 
duty   towards  their  minifters,   (uch  miniftcrs  muft  of 
ne-ceffity  neglect  their  ftudies,  and    betake    to  other 
iecular  employments  to     fupporc  flu  mic Ives  and  fa- 
milies, or  be  worfe  than  infidels  J   then  fuch  people 
mud   be  great  (phitual  lofers    in  iheir  edification  : 
yet   when   and   where    a   church   is  not  able  to  raife 
a  com  for  cable  maitenance  for    to  iupport  their  n  > 
niiler,  there  it  is  not  only  lawfu1,   but  the  duty  of 
fuch  miniiters  to    labour    with  their  hands;  for  ro 
leave    fuch    a    congregation   deftirure,  to  fonguifli 
without    the  miniftn,  would    be  very  uncharitable^ 
and  fmell  very  much  or  h!  hy  lucre;  and  ro  expert 
from  a  people,   more  than  they  are   able,  would  be 
c^preflion  or  cxiortion. 


of 


92  A  [hart  trtatifi 

Of  the  manifold  duties    of  cbriftitnS)     eff  tially    to 
the    houfkould  of  faith. 

SO  M  E  of  them  arc  thefe.  (  i  )  Lave  unfeigned 
and  without  diflimularion,  for  all  their  things 
ought  to  be  done  in  love,  "John  i}„  54,  3  c. 
Rom.  I2r9,  10.^,  1  J.8>9. 10,  (2)  To  layout  to 
keep  the  unity  of  the  fpirit  in  the  bond  of  peace, 
Ep':ef  4.;.  (3)  Endeavour  for  the  edification,  and  ipi- 
rituai  benefit  of  the  whole  body,  that  they  all  may 
grow  up  to  be  a  holy  temple  in  and  for  the  Lord, 
I  Cor.  14,12,  26,  Ephef  4  12,  16,  29.  chap  2  21* 
ti.  (4)  That  they  ail  watch  over  one  anothet 
for  good,  Phil.  2.  3,  4.  (f)  That  they  do  pray 
with  and  for  one  another,  James  5*16.  (6)  That 
they  neglecl  sot  the  affembling  of  themfelves  to- 
gether, for  the  celebrating  of  divine  worfhip,  and  (© 
promote  one  anothers  fpiritual  benefit,  Hebt  20  2$. 
Acis  2.  42.  {*/ )  That  they  ufe  all  means  to  keep 
the  houfc  of  God  in  due  order  and  cleanefs,  walk- 
ing Hnoffenfive  towards  one  another,  and  ail  others, 
with  confeientious  diligence,  and  fo  unanimoufly  :o 
contend  for  the  faith  and  truth  ence  delivered  to 
the  faints,  in  the  purity  thereof,  according  to  the 
holy  fcripture,  Pjal.  93.  $,  Zech.  14,  20,  21*  I 
Cor,    14.    33,  40,  Chap.    11.  2* 


Of  church  cemfures, 

HAVING  fpoken  of  the  gathering  together 
of  a  particular  gofpel  ckurch,  and  it's  officers, 
G  5  «*4 - 


0f  chut<  .  h -difcipline*  9? 

and  the  rules  whereby  wc  arc  to  be  cniidcd  in  ehooi- 
ing  and  ordaining  ofthem,  and  of  the  admiffion  of 
members,  &c.  it  is  meet  to  give  a  m<>it  view  of  a 
church's  duties  and  authority,  in  reff  cftof  cenfurcs 
upon  offender*. 

lirf},  of  admonition. 
(i)  Admonition  is  a  holy,  tender  and  wife  en- 
deavour, to  convince  a  brother,  that  hath  offended  in 
natter  of  h£l,  or  eKc  is  fallen  into  a  way,  where- 
in to  contfnue  is  like  to  be  p-reju  iicial  to  the  party 
himfelfor  Ionic  others  j  where  the  nutter,  whate- 
ver it  be,  and  the  (inrulncfs  thereof,  with  the  ag- 
gravating circumftanccs  attending  it  istebe  charg- 
ed on  his  conference,  in  the  fight  of  God,  with 
due  application  of  the  word  of  God,  which  con. 
cerns  his  condition  ;  thereby  leading  him  to  his 
duty  aid  true  reformation.  (2)  A dnionirioti  is 
private  by  one  or  more  of  the  bre-I.ren  or  more 
public  by  the  whole  church.  (1)  VC'h-n  one 
brother  tp.fpaiTes  again  ft  another,  the  offended 
brother  is  not  to  divulge  the  offence,  but  to  go 
in  a  gofpcl  wav  to  the  nfii >»«••  «rwJ  •.-,  (-'^  |  -5 
endeavour  to  reclaim  his  brother  j  and  if  he  repenrsj 
the  offended  brother  ought  to  forgive  him,  Ala;th. 
18.  r  S .  Lu  e  17.  j.  b«t  if  the  offending  brother 
will  not  hear,  then  the  orftndcd  brother  ought  to  take 
#  two  or  three  other  brethren,  and  them  luch  as  mar 
be  moft  likely  to  gain  upon  the  offender 5  but  if 
this  ad-monition  alio  takes  no  effect,  it  is  to  be 
brought  before  the  church,  Math,  r 8.  16,  17.  (2) 
The  church  when  matters  come  thus  before  rhem, 
fcall  admonifh  and  endcarour  to  reclaim  the  of- 
fender* 


94  <A  fort  treatise 

fender,  in  the  fpirit  of  rnecknefs  ;  and  if  the  brother  j 
that  offended  continues  obftinate  and  impenitent, 
the  church  is directed  to  exclude  him,  kitth.  18.17.  I 
(f  )  From  whence  it  follows,  every  church  mem- 
ber has  fomewhat  to  do  in  his  place,  Bcb,  \z%  if. 
(2)  In  c*(c  of  privire  offences  it  is  prep  aft  erou-s 
to  pab'ifh  t!  en  or  acquaint  the  church  or  the  el- 
ders thereof  therewith,  before  the  two  lower  de- 
grees of  admonition  arc  dulv  accoHijMiflied,  and  the 
offended  has  neglcdcd  to  hear.  £f)  Thar  when 
matters  are  thus  regularly  brotrghf  to  fht  church* 
then  private  proceedings  may  reafe..  (4)  That  when 
private  offences  are  brought  to  the  church  wi 
out  fuch  proper  privare  prOceeiutc,  tk*i  chc  church 
may  and  ought  to  refute  it,  as  not  corning  according 
to  gofpel-rule  aforefaid.  in  M»t,  ig.  (  c  )  ItM  wnen 
thofe  things  that  begin  in  private  are  thus  rcgnl^rl/ 
brought  into  the  church,  they  mud  be  received  a^d 
adjudged  according  ro  the  fiid  rale,  M*t$  *8  So 
that  it  may  and  doth  oftentimes  fall  out,  that  thofe 
things  that   be^in   with  pi ivate  admonition,  do  end 

Secondly,  of  fufpcnu'ott. 
O)  A  fafpenfion  may  be,  when  the  church  is  in- 
fromed  that  a  member  hath  aclcd  amifs,  either 
in  matters  of  faith  or  pradicc,  and  not  having  fatif- 
fa&^ry  proof  whether  the  information  is  true  or 
falfe,  and  the  cafe  requiring  time  to  enquire  therein, 
it  is  expedient  to  fiafpend  fuch  a  perfon  from  core- 
munion  at  the  lord's  table,  until  the  elders  of  the 
church,  can  make  fuira-fele  enquiry;  as  might  be  fig- 

nificd 


*f  l  re  # e, 

tbl  h«v  in  the  cafe  of  icprof).    Ltv.  Jjth 
r  4r     chaprers. 
(i)  Sufptnfion  is  rather  role  looked  upon  t©  be, 
a  c\  urch  (1    rh  dtbar  a  U  ember   from  commu- 
nion for  to/rc  ittfgalarity  that  hr  ma)  be  f.uilry  of, 

j  er  doth  not  h   as   Co   bl 

for  the  great  lentence  of  cxcomooicatiofli i  but  that 
tbepetfon  for  fuel  iitfgularityj  < ught ro  bedebar- 
red  ©f  rl  c  |  rivilcgc  ©flpecial  comn  anion  and  ex- 

&f  i  fine,   in  order  to  his  humiliation,  i 

%.  6>  7,  jo,  iia  14,  iv  (ueh  is  not  robe  ace©  on- 

tcd  as  an   tmmv,   burro  be  exhorred  as  a  blather  in 

tho'  not    in  comrr.unior  $   but  if  fuch  an  one 

remain  impenitent  and  incorrigible,  the  church  (af- 

IC  waiting   for  his   reformation)  is  to  proceed 

to  excommunication,   M*th;i$.  j~.  for  that  wool d 

be  a  not  bearing  the  chinch  jnthe  higheft  degree. 

xrdlffi    °f    excommunication. 

Excommunication  is  a  judicial  act  or  ccnlure  of 

the  church,  upon  an  offender,  by  the  authority  of  Je- 

fus  Thrift,  and  by    his  direction,    delivered   re  his 

church  by  himfelf  or    his    apoftles,   in  the  new  tc(- 

tament,    which   a   gofpe]  church    ought    to    pur  in 

e,   when  matters  of  fad  require,  according  to 

gcrfpd   ruie:  as   firft,   when  a  member  (after  all  due 

admonition  )  continues  obftinare,  and    will  hear  co 

reproof,   Mwt%    18.  17*  Secondly,  When    a  member 

hath  coin  muted  a  grofs  fin,  which  is  directly  again  ft 

-.v,  and  being  notorious  and  fcandalous, 

and  proved  bpyond  difpOtCs    1  Cor.  5,  4,  c#    1   TimM 

.    i  Cur.    10,   6.   ti:en  a  church  is  i mine diar.  ly 

to 


9  6  A  flnrt  treat ije 

to  proceed  unto    cenfure  (notwithftandig  any  prc-i 
fenc  figns  of  conviction  or  remorfe)  for  the  necef-1 
fary    vindication  of  the   glory  of   God,  the  vmdi-1 
cation  of  the  church  alfo,  and  their  holy  profeillon;] 
and  to  manifeft  their  juft   indignation   and  abhor- 
rence   againit   fuch  wickednefs,    i    Cer   c.    i  — 1%> 
Thirdly,  When  amembetis  found  to  be  erroneous,  j 
defective,    or  heretical  in  fomc  fundamental  point, 
or  to  fwerve  from  the  right  faith,  in  the  principles 
of  the  chriftian  religion,    i   Tim.    i.    19,  2«. 

The  manner  of  proceeding  unto  this    great  and 
awful  inftituted  ordinance,  is:   the  chwrch  being  ga- 
thered together;  the  offender  alfo  having  notice  to 
come  to  make  his  anfwer  and  defence  (if  he  comes 
not,  he  aggr»avaets  his  offence  by  defpifing  theautho* 
rity  of  Chrift  in  his  church)  the  body  of  the  church 
is  to  have  knowledge  of  the  offender's  crime  fully  * 
and  the  full  proof  thereof  as  of  plain  matter  of  fa&s 
and  after  mature  deliberate    eonfideraticm  an-d  con- 
futing the  rules  of  diredion  given  in  the  word  of 
God  (whether  the  offender  be  prefent  or  abfent)thc 
minifler  or   elder    puts   the  queftion  to   the  whole 
church,  whether  they  judge  the  perfon  guilty  of  fuch 
crime  now  proved  upon  him,   is  wonhy  of  the  cen- 
fure  of  the  church  for  the  lame?  to  which  the  mem- 
bers in  general  give  their  judgment;   which  if  it  be 
in  the  affirmative,   then  the  judgment  of  the  mem- 
bers in  general  being  had,  or  the  majority  of  them, 
the  paftor,    minifler,    or  elder  fums  up  thelentence 
ot  the  church,   opens  the  nature  or  the  crime,   with 
the  fuitablenefs  of  the  cenfure,  according  to  gofpel 

rule  J 


of  cl  euh-difc'j  i:  c.  9J 

proceeded*  \   proper  time  is 
in    exeedtiot),     ac 

le  pa  ft  or,  uuniitcr  or  elder  of  the  clun 

to   lav  open  the    lui- 

1,   with  all  the  aggravating  cir- 

r'^ereof,  and  (hewi^   w   a:  an  ab  • 

an   offender    is    become   to  r 

on,   *  our  ic  is  to.  God,   <£v.  applying  the 

ilar  places  or  fcripture  that  are  proper  to  the 

1   charge  the  offence  home  upon  the 

if  pief:nt,      that  others 

g  a'io  the  infill  nat  ire  of  this 

grear  cenfurc.  and   the   main   end    thereof-,    for   the 

ialvrtiun  and   not  the  defhudjori  oi  the  (oui,    aid 

Mich  foiemnirv   in  rbe   wl  sill   g 

up  >n  God  rot  bis  gracious  ptdlrnce,  and    his 

I  is  lacrcd  or   n  incc  •   1  if 

end  ti  1 

mch  harh 
mich  the  great  humili  1  1  .1    ©Ml 

and    Qi'c  ;    r     in 

The  fo  4  paft  >x  mi    1  c 

Chsiit,   in 
Ij   and    bv  and  vi  h  1  | 

t>  rbe' judicial  fententfc  oft  ,   cuts  d 

les  del)   an  one     fro* 

m  Dunion  <  r  cic  1  hatch    b^ 
f  .  t;ar  (  :cn    a  peti  in   is   not  «Ik  e 

be   looked  o  I,    drcinc 

1  a  church,     uxicii  <^ 
Ktn  .x^JLxn  oy   :q:ct<  anu. 

I  \(  hick 


99  Ajkort  treatife 

Which  exclusion  carries  in  it  the  full  fenfc  ©f  out 
fcord't  words,  M*t.  ig.  ij.  Let  him  be  unto  the* 
Ms  an  heathen  man  and  *  publican*  or  of  theapoftle, 
t  Cot.  j.  $.  to  deliwr  jueh  an  one  to  latum  which 
is  an  authoritative  putting  of  fuch  a  pcrfon  out  of 
ihc  communion  of  the  church,  the  kingdom  of  hea- 
ven; into  the  world,  the  kingdom  of  Satan,  the  prince 
*f  the  power  of  the  air,  the  (pirit  that  now  workcth 
%n  tht  children  of  diiobeditnee,  in  order  to  his  be* 
ing  humbled  and  broken  under  a  fight  and  fenfc  of 
his  fins,  which  is  meant  by  thedeftruclionotthe  flefti, 
tnd  to  the  end  that  the  fpirit  *»a;  be  fated  in  the 
day  of  the  Lord. 

Amongft  the  many  diiordcrs,  which  church-mem- 
bers may  be  guilty  of,  and  for  tht  obftinate  con- 
tinuance therein  a  church  may  and  ought  to  ufe  the 
Jower  that  Chrift  hath  given  to  exclude  them  from 
ei  communion  ;  that  is  ene,  which  is  when  a  mem- 
ber doth  feclude  himfelt  and  that  not  in  any  regu- 
lar way,  but  contrary  to  all  rule  and  order :  for 
ojhen  a  church-member,  by  reaion  of  iomc  offence 
fco  hath  taken  at  the  church  orfomeof  tht  members 
thereof,  and  hath  not  done  his  duty  according  to  the 
rule  of  the  word,  or  elfe  is  a  dying  away  in  re- 
ligion, by  one  means  or  another,  a*  by  the  love  of 
the  world,  change  of  condition  in  marriage,  not 
kaving  his  expected  preferment  in  the  church,  or  the 
like,  doth  as  it  were  excommunicate  himfejf,  the 
chureh  according  to  their  duty  ought  to  ufe  their 
endeavours  to  reclaim  fuch;  which  endeavours,  if 
the;  prove  fruitlcfs,  and  the  party  obfhnarr,  the 
anarch  ought  not  to  acquiefce  in  his  irregular 
fiep&ittte  from  thciDt  as  if  all  tiicir  bonds  of  (tk4* 


of  church-crifciph'ne.  IcJ 

on  and   duty   were     over,    ar.d  no  more  was  to  b# 
party  hath   uiliiped  the  power  of 
.    the  chuich  therefore  muft  main* 
tan  the  powei  trtai  Chfift  h*tb  committed   unto  \t% 
tru>'  i:  canrsor   hinder  tn;  inordinate  and  unruh  paf- 
s  of  luch  an  one    if  Gad  leaves  kirn  to  it.     He 
I  run  away  from  the  church,  renting  himfelflchii'- 
rruticaliv  orfy   bicakin^  thro'  a!i  order  and   covenant 
Rations    in  oppoiition   to  brotherly  tnJeavourfc 
to    hindrr  him,  and   to  ftav  him  in   his   pUceJ  the 
church  is  to  proceed  judicially  to  turn  the  key  upon 
a   (infui  diicrderlv  departer;  and   publickly  to 
declare,  thit  as  (uchan  one  bv  name  hath  bicn  guil- 
ty .of  Inch  a  thing  (naming  his  diforder)  he  i*  no 
Jevigcr  in  their    communion,  nor  under  their  watch 
and  caiCi  &c%  and  that  fueh  a  per  Ton  is  not  t<>  fcturfi 
to    heir  communion,  until  he  hath  given  fatisfaftion 
i     the  church,   Rem.    16.  17.  Such  a  reparation    of 
dcpaiture  is  very  iinfut,    tor  thele  and  the  like  rca- 
fons.     (1)  Becaufc  the  church  is  a  corporation  pa* 
vilcged  wich  JaAS  and  rules  for  admittance  and  3i- 
DUCtancc.  which  ought  to    be  obft  tved#  Matth.    ig, 
torn.    12.  4,   c..     it)  Mich  a  departure  is  rude  k  in- 
decent, therefore  difhonourablc,  r  Or.   14.  40,  (}) 
Became    if  membcts  may    take  this  liberty,  all  the 
officers  of  the  church,  miniftcis,  ruling  elders  &dea* 
cons  may  rake  the  fame  liberty,  which  would  foon 
on  church  any  church,  or   at  leaft  be  deftruclirt  to 
its  beamy,  tomrorr  A  edification,  Joh.  t.  67.  (4) 
I     All  members  do  covenant  the  contrary>  Ifst.  44    fs 
\     and  therefore  it  is  a  breach  of  covenant*  which    i* 

; 


Id  A  J!:ort  treatife 

a  b!*ck  charter,  2  Tim.  3.  ;  (cj  It  defrroys 
totally  the  relation  between  cldeisand  people,  Ki.ich 
God  hath  onair.td,  Mattfoj,  36.  (6)  It  is  anuluip- 
ing  of  the  ke\s*  or  lather  fttaJing  <;f  them,  Amos 
6.  i}/  (7J  It  is  fcr.ifm  :  if  there  is  inch  a  thing  in 
the  world>  it  is  of  particular  churches,  1  Cor.  11. 
Ig.  cli.  12.  %u  {%)  It  is  a  high  contempt  of  Chrift 
in  the  government  of  his  church,  jude  18*  Q-  2  ?et> 
2  JO,  11.  (9)  Ir  is  to  break  the  fbrT  of  beauty 
£wvtnant]  and  of  bands  and  brotherhood  too,  Zecb0. 
1^.  jo  14.  (10)  Ic  argues  either  fome  great  un- 
dilccvered  guilt  lyin^  on  the  party.,  or  fume  by 
ends  in  his  fir  ft  (eeking  admi/licn  into  fueh  2  church*. 
Ail  which  put  together,  it  declares •  tjhe  great  unity 
©fa  congiegational  g.ofpel-churck;  asd  the  finfulncfs 
of  inch  diioicetly  peiions  in  breaking  off  without 
a  juft  taufe :  -but  if  any  chinch  becomes  heretical  m 
p&intip'es  cr  idolatrous  in  w'orfliip.  or  immoral  in 
life,  it  is  lawful  for  per  (oris,  alter  they -tave  difchar- 
ged  their  conscience  and  duty  in  reproving  and  bear- 
ing witnefs  againft  inch  grolV  defections,  to  departs 

Qdier  diftrdus  a«d  caufes  of  dircordsin  chutehes 
3te  theic,and  man  v  of  the  like  ;  (j)  When  members  of 
churches,  by  their  ignorance  of  the  rules  ofdifci- 
phne  &  right  government  of  the  church  of  Ci-rift, 
do  not  3d  according  to  tbei.r  dutv  j  particularly 
when  th^LZ  rule,  M*t*h,  18.  ic»  16,  is  not  obfervvd  ; 
and  -hit  is,  either  .1)-  \Y  h«n  offended  members,  in. 
ftead  of  going;  to  the  offender,  to  tell.hin*  hi*  fault, 
Wi4i  be    divulging  it  diiorcerly  to  others  wK'her 


if    church  difcipfine.  ItX 

member*  #rnonracmbers.  (a>  When  offended  nun* 
bers  inftcad  of  acting  according  to  the  lai  i  rule,  da 
conceal  the  matter  from  the  offender  and  every  bo- 
dy clie,  Icit  thev  mould  be  looked  upon  as  conten- 
tious perfons;  and  rhereby  they  lufleriin  upon  their 
brother,  and  arc  become  guilty  of  other  men'*  fins, 
and  rhereby  thev  fuifcr  the  name  of  God,  their  hoLy 
profeflion,  and  the  church,  to  lie  undct  *  reproach 
by  their  negled;  either  of  which  ways  is  yery  firv 
{ul.  at  being  conmry  to  the  cxprefs  rule  given  hj 
our  Lord  Chrift;  and  fiich  ought  (as  being  thcrcb/ 
become  offenders  tl.cmiclvcs)  to  be  in  a  gofpd-way 
dealt  with. 

(a)  ty  hen  an  elder  or  a  church  do  know  that  Tome 
of  the  members  arc  immoral  and  fcandalous  in  lifct 
or  heretical  in  marten  of  faith  aid  judgement,  and 
yet  bear  with  them,  oc  connive  at  tbcrn. 

(j)  When  members  of  churches  take  liberty  r# 
go  to  hear  to  other  placet,  when  the  church  it  af- 
ic.nbled  to  worflnip  God,  which  is  dircclly  contrary 
to  Htb.  10.  i%,  and  is  no  ltfs  that  breaking  co- 
venant *irh  the  church  thev  belong  unto,  and  may 
foi  n  dillMvc  and  unchurch  any  particular  church  J 
for,  by  the  fame  rule  that  one  member  takes  fuch 
libcrtv,  another  may,  \e*>  all  the  members  may, 
•mil  their  afl-mbling  entirely  ccafc  And)  more- 
over it  is  cafting  great  contejrpt  on  the  rainiftrf 
of  fuch  a  church,  and  mar  caufe  others  to  be  difaf* 
fedted,  t  »  the  dextrine  taught  in  fuch,  tho*  founi 
and  orthodox.  Yet  no  re  11  taint  ought  to  belaid  on 
members  g^ing  to  hear  at  other  placet,  where  found 
dwcUinc  is  uug;n,  at  other  ci*ts>         (4)  When 


i©J 


A  Jhort  trettift 


(4) 'When  members  rake  liberty  to  go  to  hear 
men  chat  are  corrcpr  in  do&riri.e,  and  (o  fuck  in  fume 
unfound  notions  oi  religion,  and  entxavour  to  cor- 
rupt oners  with  w  hat  they  hare  imbibed  thtrnfelves. 
And  ala.  !  how  inany  in  our  unhappy  da)  sate  ccr- 
rup  ed  with  Armmianijmj  Socinianijm,  and  what 
riot  ?    Such  cauie  rroubk  and.  great  diiordciS; 

(e)  Another  disorder  that  may  caufe  difcord,  is,  when 
members  are  received  witbout  the  general  and  un- 
animous confentot  thc.church  i  cr  when  any  arc  ad- 
mitted, widr  whofe  confeflion  or  life  &  convention, 
xhc  gencrs,liry  of  the  members  are  not  iatis fled :  or 
when  elders  and  minifters  or  leaders  of  .the  church, 
are  iemiis  and  carelcfsin  the  reception  of  members* 
,  (d|  When  a  church  (hall  receive  a  charge  againft 
$  member  (it  being  an  offence  given  by  one  bro- 
ther to  another  brother)  before  an:  orderly  procedure 
has  been  made  by  the.  offended  brother,  according 
to  the  rule,  Matth.^it. 

I  (7)  'When  judgment  paiTes  with  partiality,  or 
. /bxne  are  connived  at  ouooi  favour  or  afTe&ion,  and. 
others  ecn  fared  c*u  of envy  c  r  without  due  conviction, 
Levi  was  not  to  know  his  father.*  mother  or  chilcrsn 
ir*  judgment.  Deut.   ;^.   g£ 

(8.)  .When  the  charges  of  a  church  arenot  equally 
bfcrni  by  t)  c  members  according. to  their  fcyeral 
abJkles,  but  fomeaie.burthencd  when  others  do  lit- 
de  or  .nothings 

*     (9) 'When  accusations  a*e  received  againft  an  el-. 
.4&i,XQMMi  to  the.  rule,  i   Tim.  5.  }i.  which  .re- 

guises 


•f  i  c  4 

Mires  two  or  rhrcc    wi?ne!T<  carter  of    facT 

n  >i  of  tl 

I 

f    4.   1 1 

<J.      is  i:  v   ro  diVulgt 

.ts  of  a  far  atel   llumc  cfo 

(j  1)    \Y,  hen   c. 

arc  not  ca  ~sd  Kcj  : 

In  all  thele   apd  jn^  of  tike  na- 

uiai  churcl  cs  ouelu    ro 

-•  focarioii, 

and   acco  •  of  rhe  wofld 

of  Gfd,  prcv<  nred,    &:    1 

'd  in    mace  <5c 
,  ir^    of    the  body  oi    the  chiuh 
vi  Chiift  in  love. 


Of   the  communion  #/  churches. 

Every  particular  r*fl)gr*gaM*J  aJ  church  incorpo- 
cd  by  and  according  to  the  ir.ftiturjon  of 
utt  in  the  Goipcl,  andauh  organizes  actdfu 
the  partem  or  the  primitive  chu  relict,-  fafth 
rponcrtiomChuiUo  call  and  oitain  irs  own 

officii 


2CC. 


A  Jhort  trettejs 


officers;  fo  that  no  man  or  fcr  of  men  have  autho- 
rity to  chufe  officers  for  them,  or  impofcany  offi- 
cers on  them,  without  tkeir  previous  knowledge  and 
volunrary  c*nhm,  A$s  6.$.  Deacons  are  to  be  chofen 
by  the  multitude,  Acln^.  2$  Elders  wete  ordained 
in  every  church  by  election  or  fuffragc  of  the  church  J 
and  every  parricu'ar  church,  as  iuch,  aiTembled  with 
her  proper  elders,  hath  fuficienc  po*er  to  receive 
memoers,  Att,  1.41  Horn.  14,  7  And  in  the  ex- 
crcife  or  any  ads  of  difcipiine,  fuch  a  church  being 
convened  *vithher  own  officers  or  elders  in  the  name 
or  Chrift.  may  act  according  to  gofpel  rule  in  any 
cafe,  even  to  excommunicaie  fuch  members  as  arc 
found  to  bz  ebftinate  in  diford'jrs,  or  heretical  in 
principles,  aker  due  admonition;  or  fuch  as  are 
guiles  or  grod  md  fcand^lous  immoralities  in  con- 
vention, &r.  independant  on  any  other  church- 
power  (uperior  to  irfclf,  or  higher  judicatory  lodg- 
ed in  any  nun  or  an)  fet  of  men,  by  an)  inftitut-on  of 
Cruiii:  and  therefore  the  eldcrsof  a  church,  meeting 
in  the  abfer.ee  of  the  members,  or  convened  with  the 
elders  of  other  churches,  are  nor  entrufted  with  a 
power  to  aft  for  a  church  in  admiilion  ot  members, 
ordination,  or  cenlures,  &c.  and  it  is  rhe  duty 
of  (uch  a  church  to  admonifh  any  of  her  mem- 
bets  or  officers,  their  teacher  or  paftor,  Col.  4.  17. 
and  exclude  any  too,  when  their  crimes  require, 
according  to  the  rule  of  the  gcfpcl.  And  fuch  par* 
ticuku  congregational  churches,  conftintted  and  or- 
ganized according  to  the  mind  of  Chrift  revealed  in 
the  Btweftamrrtt,  are  all  caual  in  power  and  dig* 
JUij>.aad  nc  read  of  do  di  (parity  betweca  them,  ot 


*/.  :^c.  t%6 

them,   chat  fhotild  r<-sr:c  a  <Hf- 
| 

f  one    church  th.»u!d  be  i 
rs  mould  be     a< 
'ion,     altho*    they    nav 
:nd  lllcfulnefs.     ^ 
l-.uulus,  ,.  [11  got 

flic«j    may  and   i 
her  in  many  duties   which  may 
cfirandedi 

or  gifts,  m*y 
ghr,  if  p'  ffible,  to  fuppl)  anathef  chat  lickcth, 
C*nt.   8    8,  the)  atual  giving  &  n 

< //.  4.    If.  and  nui"  ionj  rccorrrren- 

dati^n  (.  r  dil  rtifl  n  embers  from  one   c 

re.      It  i 
arc  ro:  :o  be  di 
fid  as  1 

•   in. 
By  1  *f  fuch  cc 

1  iuJi  t  hill 

e     ar  the   U.n-'s    tar,  Ic  - 
church       1  f 

cit,   b)     v. 
the  c  fi: 

.   in  r  y  ;.<ft 

ted  i  n 

cd   in  the  t 

:.«ey 


107 


A    Jhoft   treatife 


may  have  opportunity  and  advantage  fo  to  do)  fhould 
by  their  mutual  agreement  appoint  proper  times 
and  places,  to  meet  by  their  rcfpe&ive  mcilengers  or 
delegates,  to  conlider  of  fuch  things  as  may  be  for 
the  common  benefit  of  all  fuch  chttrcbes,  for  their 
peace,  profperitv,  and  mutual  edification,  and  what 
may  be  for' the  furtherance  of  the  gofpel,  and  the  in- 
terefl  of  Chrift  in   the  world. 

And  foraCmuch  as  it  falls  our  many  times  that  par- 
ticular churches  have  to  do  with  doubtful  and  difficult 
matters,  or  differences  in  point  of  do&rine  or  ad  mi* 
niftration  (like  the  church  of '  Antioch  of  old),  where- 
in either  the  churches  in  general  are  concerned,  or 
any  cRe  church*  i^  their  peace,  union  or  edification) 
or  any  member  or  members  of  a  church  are  injured, 
in  or  by  any  proceeding  in  cenfures  not  agreeable 
to  gofpel  rule  and  order ;  it  is  according  to  the  mind 
of  Chtift,  that  many  churches  holding  communion 
together,,  fhould  meet  by  their  meffengers  and  dele- 
gates to  cr  nlider  of,  and  to  give  advice  in  or  about 
fuch  matters  in  difference;  and  their  fentiments  to 
be  reported  to  all  the  chinches  concerned-:  and  fuch 
meffengers  and  delegates,  convened  in  the  name  of 
Chrift,  by  the  voluntary  confent  of  the  fettral  church- 
es in  filch  mutual  communion,  may  declare  dc  de- 
termine of  the  mind  ot  the  holy  G  oft,  revealed  in 
fcripture,  concerning  things  in  difference;  and  maj 
decree  the  observation  of  things  that  arc  true  and 
neceffary,  becaufc  revealed  and  appointed  in  thefcrip* 
ture.  And  the  churches  will  do  well  to  receive,  own 
andobfervc  fuch  determination*,  on  the  evidence  and 

authority 


.hurch  difciplinc.  log 

hority  of  the  mind  of  the  holy  Ghoft  in  them  as 
in  Aclsie,.  29.  Yet  fuch  delegates  thus  adcwiblcd, 
arc  not  intruded  or  aimed  with  an*  coercive  power, 
PI  any  (upctior  jurifdidion  over  the  churches  con- 
cerned, fo  as  to  impofe  their  determinations  on  them 
or  their  officers,  under  the  penalty  of  excommuni- 
c  ttion,  or  the  like.  See  th<  ConffJfton>  Ciap.  16. 
$J4*  xc.  Ste  ulfo  Dr.  Owen,  on  the  nature  of 
the  £(>Jffl  church,  chapr.  1 1.  and  Dr.  Goodwin,  Vol, 
4.  Bo.  c,  clup  8^  9>  10,  Hi  eye,  of  the  govern* 
mtnt  of  the  churches  oj  Chriil. 


THE     END. 


The  Contents. 

Oftht   hoty  fcripture$.  Page    j 

,  i,  and  the  heHy  Trinity.  f 

Qf  G*ds  Decree.  H 

Qf  Creation.  Xj 

Cf  divine  providence,  1^ 

O/   the  jail,  of  fin,  and  its  funifhment  \-j 

O/   Grd's  covenant.  jp 

O/  Chrifl  the  me  d  at  or,  20 

O/  jree  will,  2C, 

Cf  eff  ft*  4/  calling,  26 

O/  )Ujitfication.  2% 

ioptton,  jO 

Oj  j**8*fie*tiwn,  }l 

i  0/ 


Offyvsng  faith. 

Oj  refentsnce  nnt7  life  and  falvxthn 

Of  go  d  wot !'/. 

Of  perfcverance  of  the  faints. 

Of  the  affurnnce  of  grace   and  falvathnm 

Of  the  Law  of  G  d, 

Or  the  gojfeli  and  of  the  extent  of  the  grace  th:veof  4.5 

Of  c-  njthn   li!?ery,  and.  ente, 

O* re  Li  J  us  worjhip,  and  the  J  abb  at  h  day. 

Of  fi  ii'il  of  pjalms,   &c. 

O/  l*>vjf'*l  oaths  ant   tjou  *+ 

O-  the  civil  majorat  e% 

Of  m&rriage. 

Of  the    church* 

Of  the  comnrUnion  of  faints.. 

O]  biprt  m  a  ,d  the  Lords  fuyper. 

C  ;     ^-ti/.n. 

Of  Laying  on  or hath. 

Of  toe   L  ra*i  fstpger, 

Offbe  (tate  -    man  after  death*  and  refurrefthn. 

Of  the  la. 1  ju  -g  nent.  '  % 


I      C                   *  true  and  orderly  gojf  el  y&Httin  7  % 

C'nceritn*   miv:;j;ers,  &c.  75 

p/  ru  ii]   eUers,  78 

j      Of  deavot*.  79 

O    the  ad  vtfflon   f  -' n*ch  members.  go 

O/  the  duties  oj  care  88 

Of  the  duties  of  c  rijians  &c.  92 

O  f  ek  toe  j  ct nj  ures.  91 

Q>  f,?e  c  mwuniori  of  cku  ches.  1 04 

Enaium.  iw  indtnd  itt&tntent*  p.  'Sl.i  7* 


